Hollywood Warne

By Gulu Ezekiel

It is no wonder his teammates nicknamed him ‘Hollywood’. For better or for worse, Shane Warne has always managed to stay in the news.
The IPL has given the Aussie spin legend a new lease of cricketing life. It was felt after he retired from international cricket in 2007 that he would captain Hampshire for a couple of years in the English county championship before giving up cricket all together.
Then along came the IPL with its unheard of wealth and suddenly Warne was basking in the limelight again after leading underdogs Rajasthan Royals to the inaugural title last year.
Right from his teenage days when he was thrown out of the Australian cricket academy for unruly behaviour, Warne has had a habit of bucking authority.
Already this year he has been caught on camera having a puff on his cigarette and taking a swig of beer proffered by a spectator. This has brought a harsh light on him and it is no wonder the media—the bane of Warne’s life—have been banned from Royals’ practice sessions.
There have probably been more unauthorized tell-all biographies written on him than any other cricketer in history and it is no wonder given his colourful track record—the quintessential ‘sex, drugs and rock n’ roll’ lifestyle. He has even had a play written around his life and career, unique perhaps for any sportsperson.
Much like football’s notorious and yet hugely popular Diego Maradona, Warne too has legions of fans who admire his larrikin lifestyle and anti-establishment image.
Now portly and obviously out of shape, the 20/20 format ideally suits both his physique and temperament and the Royals management must be lauded for allowing him to have total control of the team, the only captain-cum-coach in the IPL.
Whether he can recreate the magic of IPL I this time around with his team or not, Warne continues to both intrigue and infuriate the cricket world.
www.sportshero.com (10/5/09)