Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Barney Ronay

It had to be Shane Warne: the Ashes Elvis had an aura that eclipsed all others

Shane Warne Don Bradman Cricket WG Grace Australia
Shane Warne of Australia bows to the crowd during his final Ashes match at the SCG in Sydney in 2007
Shane Warne of Australia bows to the crowd during his final Ashes match at the SCG in Sydney in 2007. Photograph: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Raise the Playboy pants like a pirate flag. Twirl the big brimmer in celebration. It was always going to be Shane, really, wasn’t it.

We did of course have a countdown first, because people love countdowns, because cricket is basically one unceasing countdown, an endless pencil stub ticking off names and numbers. There were 99 members of the supporting cast to be ushered to their spots, the non-Shanes of history, meat in the Ashes room.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Why Does Your Skin Look Flawless in One Light but Dull in Another?
From bathroom mirrors and dressing rooms to selfies and makeup counters, lighting can dramatically influence how your complexion appears. The reason lies in how different light sources interact with your skin, colour perception and the shadows created by your facial features. So, why does your skin look different under yellow…
MyLifeXP
MyLifeXP
Canada woman buys Snickers and Twix for Halloween. Then she holds a bar up to her hand and notices the size: ‘This is a package of air’
Another case of shrinkflation
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
17% of Young Adults Have Gone Into Debt to Date — How Much Is Romance Costing Now?
Finding love has never been free, but dating costs are becoming a serious financial concern for younger Americans. A September 2026 survey found that 17% of Gen Z and millennials have taken on debt to maintain a lifestyle with someone they were dating. Between restaurant bills, transportation, entertainment, and appearance-related…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
California cement worker turned discarded bottles into 200 desert art trees along Route 66
California cement worker Elmer Long transformed discarded glass bottles and scrap metal into an unusual art forest along Route 66. His two-acre Bottle Tree Ranch, featuring around 200 trees and over 1,000 bottles, became a popular tourist attraction. As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, Long's family continues…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Apollo 16 Astronaut Says UFOs Are Literally Demons and Claims God Proved It Over a Morning Breakfast
Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke says a breakfast conversation confirmed his belief that UFOs are demonic, while NASA evidence does not support either extraterrestrial or supernatural explanations.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Plastic Additive Marketed as Safer Phthalate Swap Linked to Slightly Smaller Newborns in 6,617 U.S. Pregnancies
Higher levels of DINCH, a plastic additive used to replace phthalates, were linked to smaller newborns in 6,617 U.S. pregnancies. Here is what the study shows.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play