# 2. Shane Warne (708)
To say Shane Warne is one of the most influential cricketers of all time might be an understatement – the art of leg-spin was dying when the charismatic, fair-haired figure first appeared on the world stage. When he retired, Warne had taken 708 Test wickets in 145 Test matches, but perhaps his greatest legacy to the game is the number of leggies that came after him, citing him as an inspiration. Alongside Muttiah Muralitharan, he spearheaded one of the greatest eras of spin bowling in cricket history, delighting many along the way.
Warne bowled with excruciating accuracy and possessed a leg-break to die for, but his at times frightening mental acuity set him apart from the rest. His ability to out-think batters saw him become the first cricketer to reach 700 Test wickets, a landmark that he achieved in front of an adoring home crowd in Melbourne. He also delivered what is almost universally regarded as the greatest delivery of all time – a simply stunning ball that pitched outside leg and clipped the top of off stump, leaving a bamboozled Mike Gatting in the middle.
Warne’s life was tragically cut short when he passed away due to a suspected heart attack in March 2022 while on holiday in Thailand, but he continues to be remembered and revered by cricket fans the world over.
