A Barmy Army chant aimed at Shane Warne during the spectacular 2005 Ashes series perfectly summarises the class of the Australian legend even against England.
The iconic Australian cricketer tragically died on Friday, aged just 52, of a suspected heart attack.
Adored by millions around the world, the charismatic Warne is considered by many to be the greatest bowler ever to play the game.
His illustrious international career spanned 15 years and saw him take 708 Test wickets - the most ever by an Australian and only behind Muttiah Muralitharan in the all-time standings - as well as the most wickets in Ashes history, with 195.
However, some English fans are choosing a more personal interaction as their favourite Warne memory.
Daily Mail rugby correspondent Chris Foy took to Twitter to share his choice, illustrating the charismatic nature of Warne and his admirable relationship with the English fans.
“Personal favourite Warne memory - at The Oval, 2005,” wrote Foy. “Bantering with England fans by the boundary, they were giving him plenty but then started huge chant of ‘we only wish you were English.’
“He turned, doffed his hat, little bow, close to tears.”
The story ultimately, according to England’s Barmy Army, perfectly summed up the relationship between the English fans and the Australian icon.
Warne made his Test debut in 1993 against India in Sydney, despite only having played in seven first-class games at the time. Warne took just one wicket and conceded 150 runs as the match ended in a draw, and it was not until the following year's Ashes series that he officially announced himself as a superstar.
With his first ball of the series, Warne bowled a delivery to Mike Gatting which pitched outside leg stump and went on to hit the top of off stump to bowl the stunned England star. The delivery later became known as the 'Ball of the Century' and immortalised Warne, who would go on to become arguably the greatest bowler in cricket history.
He retired from international cricket in 2007 after Australia whitewashed England 5-0 in 2006-07 Ashes series but continued playing first-class and List A cricket with Hampshire until the end of the county season.
Warne began coaching T20 franchise cricket, leading Rajasthan Royals to victory in the first ever IPL season as a player-coach in 2008. He retired from cricket in 2013, with his final match a Big Bash League game for Melbourne Stars against Perth Scorchers and began working as a commentator and pundit.
However, Warne also coached London Spirit in the inaugural edition of The Hundred and was set to return as their head coach later this year.
Warne’s management released a statement announcing the 52-year-old had passed away from a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement reads.
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
