The finest leg-spinner the world has ever seen, Shane Warne, at the age of 37, with 699 Test wickets from 143 matches, with the prospect of two more games to come - has announced his retirement from international cricket, Australian domestic cricket and club cricket for his local St Kilda team. He will, however, continue to honour his contract with Hampshire for the next two years.

“I sit here today with every single trophy in the Cricket Australia cabinet,” says Warne. “I retire a very happy man. My life has been unbelievable. I’m going out on top, and on my terms. It’s a day of celebration.”

Cricinfo timeline: 2000s, 1990s.

We salute a champion cricketer on the field, we just wont mention what happens off it!