Warne Retiring

[Zainub]

Despite your insistence Rachael, that "eventually" Hussey should open, his phenomenal success in the middle order means the Australian selectors will not want to tamper with his position in batting order, and who knows, even Hussey him self might not want to give up his spot at 4, from where he has scored so many runs.

[Man_in_Perth]

I'm quite confident an opening combination of Jaques and Rogers will serve Australia quite nicely. Hussey is fine at 4. Or indeed, anywhere else.

[Collyisamackem]

Double whammy perhaps? Looks like Pidgeon will retire after this series too (edit - someone referred to this earlier so this is just another source):
http://www.cricinfo.com/ausveng/cont...ry/273446.html

I can honestly say I will greatly miss those two in the game. They are the greatest Australian bowlers many of us have seen, and for me Warne is the greatest bowler of all time. They have done terrible things to English batsmen over the years, and without them we may have actually had a chance in the nineties!

Will Australia and the cricketing world see the likes of McGrath and Warne's record-shattering feats again?

[Mike]

I don't think Australia have ever had two greater bowlers in the same era since the 70's. They are a better combination than Lillee and Thommo. With a new set of bowlers and two new openers Australia will be much more vulnerable. The next Ashes will be interesting indeed.

[Paoli]

Yep, McGrath and Warne. I'd known this since Monday but in a bid to not repeat the Flintoff misprint, I didn't want to post it.

Sad day for Australian cricket. We've lost two of our greatest servants, quite possibly the best two bowlers we've ever had.

[Wanderer]

My humble opinion...

Australia may already have some very good replacements. McGill for Warne (others I probably don't know)... Johnson, Tait and Watson for McGrath...(and once again, others I may not even yet know of).

But in cricket, as in other international sports, there is a limited number of names that are accompanied by a certain "aura".

Think of what happens in a discussion when you just mention names like: Brian Lara... Sachin Tendulkar... Inzamam Ul-Haq...Muttiah Muralitharan...Shane Warne...Glenn McGrath...

Suddenly the discussion becomes more animated. Comparisons are made. Statistics are being flung around like waywardly thrown frisbees. Why? Because of that je ne sais qoui. (for lack of a worthier phrase)

Their team-mates depend heavily on them, the opposition fear, loathe and respect them all at once.

Yes. Replacements there will be. But will they have this same "aura"? Will they have the same effect on the opposition before a ball is even bowled?

No. Not until they prove everyone otherwise.

[DomainK]

Certainly there is no replacement for players like McGrath and Warne. But every great player one day comes to a retirement.

But I have a feeling that Warne might make a special come back for the World Cup. Australia would prefer to get into the WC with Warne.

[Notts Exile]

As an Englishman I can say that it's a few months too late!! I won't truly miss him in those Ashes Tests. However, it's been great watching him in action. He's perfected one of the most difficult arts in the game. He also brings to the game a real enjoyment, you can see that there's nothing else he would rather be doing.

I won't miss McGrath from the game at all. Warne manages to talk some sense, McGrath just talks rubbish. Not to say that he hasn't been a great bowler but there's just so much more mysticism about a leggie!

[Colourful Chaddi]

I can't believe these guys are retiring, I have never thought about this before, I had always thought both would play in to their 40s LOL. I am surely going to miss them, they are irreplacable, both greats in their own style play.

Hopefully both will become commentators, and commentate greatly in tendem like they have bowled on the field. It will be interesting to see how these guys will commentate together in an Ashes series in the future. Can you imagine what these guys will come out with? LOL can't wait!

You guys will be missed!!

[John]

He is going later than I predicted. I sorry my heart rules my head on this one and I am glad he is going. He has been a thorn in South Africa's side.