The "King of Spin" showed he was ready to play with the big boys by "turning up big" on the biggest stage, with the most extraordinary opening statement.
On the eve of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy between Australia and Sri Lanka maybe it's time to look back on one of the great man's greatest moments.
On this day in 1993, Shane Warne had bowled a delivery that would forever be etched into the historical annals of the cricket in gold. It was a sign of great things to come for the young spinner's career and even for the game of cricket. It was simply magical.
A young Warne had only a modest start to his test career when he set foot in England to play his first Ashes series. The Australian was equipped with the rather faded-out skills of leg-spin during an era of pace bowling domination.
In the first test of the Ashes 1993, Australia managed to set an average first innings score. The England team were cruising with their experienced top order. At this moment, the Australian captain called on Warne to showcase his art. He would bowl his first delivery to Mike Gatting - a renowned player in handling spin bowling at the time.
The ball seemed to be loose delivery, which began straight and then drifted down the leg side. It looked like a standard warm-up delivery for an inexperienced bowler. Gatting prodded forward to defend the ball as he had done countlessly. But Gatting wouldn't have anticipated what happened next. Not even Warne himself.
And just like magic, once it hit the pitch, the ball viciously turned direction as it went past the outside edge of the bat and just made sure to clip the stump and send that single bail flying off in a magician's flourish.
When you watch the replay, you realize it was a ball with everything. From drift to spin, the line of delivery, that ball capsulated everything needed to deceive any batsman. It had to come out from the hand of a magician.
Seconds later, Gatting was left in shock, and the cricketing world was left in awe and wonder at this single stunning exhibition of spin bowling. The delivery had earned the title of "The Ball of the Century". It was also referred to as "That Ball" or the "Gatting Ball".
Warne followed up with another seven wickets, bagging the Man-of-the-Match, and winning the game for Australia. His dominant display set the tone for the rest of the series, as Australia secured the Ashes 4-1. Unsurprisingly, he was awarded the Man-of-the-Series among the Australians.
Shane Warne's achievements go further beyond the 708 test wickets he claimed. Or even the World cup trophy he won as part of the champion team in 1999. What set him apart from the countless others who played the game was how he made those achievements come true. His energy on the field; the wit and skill he possessed; the drama he built up for his wickets; made him a sight to behold.
It was the ball that had set the tone for what would be the rest of Shane Warne's magical career. It was also the prophecy of the revival in the art of leg-spin bowling, as he inspired many kids to learn the craft.
Shane Warne left us a lot more than anyone could have foretold. He definitely left us wondering, "Would we ever see a more breathtaking delivery than this?" Maybe not. Who could tell?
By Navindu De Silva
Comments