Number 1,2,3 will be between Murali,Lara,Sachin,Wasim. But I must say....he will surely include Navjot Singh Sidhu in his top 10.

Nadeesha De Silva, Colombo, Sri lanka

Where's Ian Botham....??!!

Martin, East Coker, UK

There's no doubt about Warnie, he really knows how to hold a grudge. Brett Lee and Darren Lehmann above Steve Waugh? He's never forgiven the older Waugh for dropping him in the West Indies in 1999.
And Ian Healy above Adam Gilchrist? Gilly and Warnie have never seen eye to eye - Gilchrist a clean living, articulate and textbook role model while we all know Shane's transgressions. I get the feeling those happy to have beers with him managed to snake it up the ladder (Lehmann most obviously).
And Jamie Siddons and Darren Berry? Anyone outside Australia would have difficulty remembering those guys. Sure they got runs in Shield and County cricket.....
But the final laugh is swervin' Mervyn making the top 20. Stick to bowling Shane. It would be a frightening prospect if the powers to be ever had the folly to offer you a selectors cap.....

Phil McGrath, Sydney, Australia

what about Sourav... where is he? He should be in Top 10. He made 11,000 runs in ODIs. Is it not enough? I think warne has no potential to make this kind of lists...!?

Nanda, Bangalore, India

We want Sangkarra! Where is he???

He's an oustanding batsmen, but also an excellent keeper and thinker of the game! He deserves a place in the top 50 for sure!

Kavan, Sydney, Australia

So many people seemed to have missed the point. Warne's listing the best players he's played with or against. So obviously there are lots of Australians because they've dominated the competition during his career. And low ratings for Inzamam and Kallis because they never threatened Australia. Imran Khan probably hardly played against Warne. Someone mentioned Hadlee, someone else Bradman! Still you gotta question the rankings of Merv Hughes, Boof Lehman and a bunch of other Aussies who never played international cricket or nobody can hardly remember.

Desmo, Melbourne, Australia

Flintoff cannot be the best allrounder in the world. he only has batted really well during the Ashes, but Kallis is a much better batsman than Flintoff and Flintoff is a slightly better bowler.

Alvi Rahman, Ottawa,

Title should be AUSTRALIAN GREATS.

Imran, Sydney, Australia

dear warnie....after being so straight forward and blunt in your opinion dont go for a diplomatic list in the top ten...just name 10 players not more!!!

Muhammad Usman, Lahore, Pakistan

Shane, you forgot THE most important cricketer to have come from Pakistan. If Wasim Akram is number 6 in the list, Imran Khan should be in the top 5. He was and still is the one of the best all arounders to have ever played the game and arguably the best leader to ever captain the side. The way he led the Pak side in the 92 world cup and won the tournament is legendary in just cricket but any sport. Shame on you for not including him in your list, Shane.

Aamir Siddiqui, San Francisco, USA

To call Freddy Flintoff the best allrounder in the world is laughable - after 67 tests the guy's batting average is the same as his bowling average!!! Not even in the same league as Pollock or Kallis.

Flintoff (batting 32, bowling 32)
Kallis (batting 55, bowling 31)
Pollock (batting 32, bowling 23)

The stats don't lie! I don't think Warney likes Saffas very much...

Nick, London,

Flintoff a better allrounder than Kallis? Ye right, I guess Warnie also believe in Father Christmas and the tooth fairy!!

Jaco du Toit, Worceste, South-Africa

I am bemused by all these comments from people questioning Shane Warne's judgment. No one who is making comments here has played international cricket so I think that Shane Warne is in a better position to judge.

While I don't agree with every ranking he has made, I respect Warne's opinion as one of the sharpest cricket minds the game as seen in the past 50 years. Warne was voted as one of the 5 cricketers of the century and along with his skills as a bowler came an amazing cricket brain and one of the best captains I have ever seen....unfortunately due to his indiscretions he was never going to be given the Australian test captaincy, not because he was lacking the necessary skills.

Warne is sharing his opinion based on what he has seen and experienced in ODI, test cricket and first class cricket, so I think he is in a better position to judge as opposed to blog commentators who watch the game on TV and have never played cricket with or against any of the players in question

KurtRudder, Bagdad, TAS, Australia,

I am stunned that Steve Waugh is ranked so low. Which batsman would you turn to when your side is in deep trouble?

Aaron, Wollongong,

Flintoff in the top 50 your having a laugh, you can do well in one test match series "THE ASHE'S" and your up there. Carry on with your friends Fest Warny your doing well.....

TAZ, Halifax, UK

Where is Kumar Sangakarra

brian, St Claires, australia

Steve Waugh a match saver rather than a match winner... This is the Ian Chappel connection at work. Ian Chappell and Steve Waugh never saw eye to eye, and Warnie and Chappell have always been close friends... All warnie has done there is quoted a statement made by Ian Chappell about Steve Waugh from a recent interview with Doug Walters. Steve Waugh was never the most elegant batsman to match, but ultimately when it comes to scoring runs, i subscribe to the school of thought that says 'how many, not how.' Finally, given how successful australia were in the era that Steve Waugh played in, there were rarely in opportunities for him to actually live up to the label match saver, because all australia have been doing for the better part of the last 15 years has been winning.

damo, melbourne,

omg waqar younis is under ravi shastri have u gone nuts warnie?????
r y outta your senses or what!!!
waqar younis shud easily b in top 20 or atleast 25
he has 20 ausssies in top 50 thats disrespecting!!

amir, los angeles, USA/CA

Well i was amazed, how could Warne miss out on Imran Khan????. Also no Zaheer Abbas. Also how can Taylor be on 9. Its seems more like Australian greats than world greats.

Asim, Karachi, Pakistan

Should categorised as bowler, batsman and all rounder.
Batsman
undoubtly Sir donald bradman, Sachin, Lara, Pointing, Inzamam, M yousuf, Dravid, Miandad, Younis & Vaughan.
Bowlers
Wasim akram, Mcgrath, Ambrose, Walsh, Waqar younis, Murali, Warne, Shoaib, Asif & Ntini.
Allrounder
undoubtly Imran khan, Kapil Dev, Kallis, Flintoff, Razzak, Chris, Afridi...
i may be wrong or missed any great player but to me this must be fair enough if categorised 1 - 10.

Syed Hussain, Newcastle, Uk

Subhash, you are absolutely right. Why does everyone feel the need to whinge rather than enjoy and discuss?

Andrew, London, England

10. Mark Taylor
9. Jason Gillespie
8. VVS Laxman and Inzamam Ul Haq
7. Muralitharan
6. Ricky Ponting
5. Wasim Akram
4. Glenn McGrath
3. Curtley Ambrose
2. Lara
1. Tendulkar (Tendulkar slightly higher than Lara because India actually won 2 series vs Aus when Warne played, and Tendulkar got Warne out with a google :-) )

Subhash, USA,

What about Jonty Rhodes?

The man pratically revolutionised fielding, changing the game forever. Greatest fielder of all time, no matter what they say Ponting is not in the same league as Jonathon Neil Rhodes!

Cammo, Durbs, SA

No vaasy & Inzy. Are they worser players than Darren Berry & Jamie Siddons who didnt even Play for a national team. Vaasy had taken more than 300 wickets in both forms of the game inflat pitches & Inzy had scored more 80 half centuries in ODI's. Isn't those stats enough to get atleast inside the 1st 30. There are so many ausiie playars who are overrated especially in the 1st ten 5 to be precise.Steve Waugh doesn't deserve to be @ 26. Atleast he should be in the 1st 20. Certainly above Lehmann. I think Sana is underrated isn't 12000 ODI runs 25 hundreds 242 sixes and 300 wickets enough to get him in the top 15. Atleast before Merv.

Sajeev, Sydney, Australia

Well . with so many great names as mentioned by 'Apyboutit' still left and with just 10 spots left in the list, i am pretty surprised as to how could players like tim may,stuart macgill lehman and some other unknown 'Australian' players even feature in the list of great players.They are far from being very good let alone great. Any how, this is warne's list and he can put whoever he wants in that list and I won't be surprised if he puts himself on the top along with some other not so deserving and unknown Australians in the top 10.

UT, GGN, INDIA

Sir Richard for the top six I hope!

Michael Gibson, Wellington, New Zealand

I feel really sorry for you mate. You have got certain things absolutely wrong. There are some places you can not justify like Bruce Reid, Tim May and Stephan Harmison all coming ahead of Waqar Younis and kapil Dev, Merv Hughes coming ahead of Andy Flower, Robin Smith coming ahead of Andy Flower etc. I think no rating criterion has been followed, if any was followed, it must have been tampered with to promote your favourite players, especially your old team mates.

Besides, you have never been the best judge of cricket and the proof thereof is that you never got the captaincy of the Australian team, whereas Mike Hussey, an internee has tasted the captaincy of the Australian side. I pity you as a judge, but adore you as a bowler, not a cricketer.

Raza-e-Mustafa, Gujranwala, Pakistan

Shane is an intellegent player so I am sure he knows what he is talking about about, but not to have Inzamam-ul-Haq in his top 50 is criminal, I know his record is only average against Australia but still a top 5 batsmen of the modern era with 18 (25 in total) match winning hundreds equalling Bradman.

Shabs, London, England

top 10 will be
ponting, mcgrath, mark taylor, healy, lara, ambrose, sachin, akram, murali and vvs laxman or Inzy

Abhijeet, Hyd, India

The key to this thing is that it is Warne's list. His opinion. It says so in the title. If you disagree, become the best bowler of all time, play hide the sausage with as many sheilas as you can fit on it and get a column in the Times yourself.

Chris Taylor, Worthing, England

Let me guess the last 10 -Gavaskar, Border, Tendulkar, Ponting, Botham, Lara, Mcgrath, Ambrose, Imran and Murali. Let"s see how far off target I am.

Guruprasad, Bangalore, India/Karnataka

What disgut!!! I never thought Warne has such little knowledg on cricket despite being the best of the game. Lets forget everything and focus on numbr 31!!! TIM MAY!!! Waqar Younis is ready for a heart attack

zuhair, karachi, pakistan

Here's what I think the Top 10 would look like
1. McGrath
2. Lara
3. Tendulkar
4. Ponting
5. Murli
6. Wasim Akram
7. Border/ Taylor
8. Miandad*
9. Inzamam
10. Laxman

* not sure if Maindad played against him

Ram, Austin, USA

alan donald, waqar,jayasuriya,harmison,chris cairns...
all of them behind tim may?
geez this is ridiculous..
this alone would be enough to hav a good scoff at this list
however, some ratings r good...

nadeesh, colombo,

I respect your opinion, it can't be 'wrong' and I think most of it makes sense. People are saying that you must be crazy to rank good players so far back, but they aren't looking at it from your point of view, they haven't been on the field watching these players. No they just want their favorite player to be the best end of story and think their opinion is better. Shane Warne is making a list of 'his' top fifty players. He isn't asking this to be placed on a plaque and make it law. I wouldn't be surprised if he rated Tendulkar as 10 or something.

AJ, Queens, New York

Okie, that's quite a list Warney has....but give him a break, guys. Its his list, his perspective on how he's seen the game, and been in it.....I'm just wondering when a certain Mr. Akram is going to feature in his list, and even Imran, or Inzy....if they're not in his Top 10, well.....that's gonna be interesting.

I look forward to the top 10-one thing I've always admired bout Warney throughout his career is his ability to come clean, to say all that's on his mind, without worrying bout the feedback or the inevitable lashing...he's always unafraid to speak his mind and tha'ts a quality that's fast dying. For all his blemishes off the field, and occasionally, even on it, he was a compelling character out there, and one of every few guys I'd pay any money to see....guys like him, Akram, Tendulkar, Lara, etc, are once-in-a-generation players....gotta cherish all their memories, for they just come once.....look forward to your Top 10, mate....all the best!

Paris , Kathmandu, Nepal

Dear Warnie
what do you think of this?

1. Border
2. Lara
3. Tendulkar
4.Murali
5. Mcgrath
6. ponting
7. Gilchrist
8 Dravid
9.Boucher
10. Fleming
11. warne
12. Akram
13. steve waugh
14 gavaskar
15. Kumble
16 walsh
17. mark waugh
18. mark taylor
19. healy
20.Rodney marsh
21. Inzamam
22. waquar younis
23. Jayasuriya
24.ganguly
25.Pollock

shankar, canberra,

I think this list can be thrwon inthe bi either googly or legspin. Either way it will spin into the bin.

Let me show Warnie the top ten since he has played.

Numer 1 - Ambrose
Number 2- Mcgrath
Number 3 - Lara
Number 4 - Sachin
Numbe 5 - Rahul Dravid
Number 6 - Warnie
Number 8 - Murali
Number 9 - Flintoff
Number 10 - Kallis

Prasad, Sydney, Aus

yes work is good, but i wonder why sahne has only using his personal database instead of looking of players who saved lot of matches or won at their own,
2ndly, tooooooooo much biased, as some of the names are impossible to digest against the given ratings,,,,,,
anyways, such writtings are good for reading.
good luck shane

Imran Hyder, Karachi, Pakistan

Well Warney, you are down to 10 and there are no mention yet of Sir Garfield Sobers, Bryan Lara, Malcolm Marshall, Imran Khan, Sir Richard Hadlee, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Murali, Warne, Pontin, McGrath, Barry Richards, Geoff Boycott, Asif Iqbal, Rod Marsh, Alan Knot, Derick Murray....to name a few ...hhmmm....let us see what you have in store for us. And by the way, were you patronizing your mates from Victoria who never played test!!

Ragoobir Henry, Toronto, Canada

It is a shame 'Shane', to have included a great cricketer and a great captain like Steve waugh on your 26th. Grow up and show that you can appreciate a talent irrespective of your differe of opinion with them.

Ravee Mathi, San Francisco, USA

Obviously the top 10 will include:
- Lara
- Tendulkar (probably #1, as Warnes worhsip's him)
- Murali
- Wasim
- McGrath
- Ambrose
- Border
- Taylor
Maybe:
- Imran khan (if he fits in the category)
- ian Botham (ditto)

You never know, Salim Malik may make the list, given the spankings he gave warne! Or maybe not..but what about Mushie...real possibility he may creep in, as warne is a fan and he always bowled well against the aussies

Vaseem Akbar, London, UK

sir,
i have seen this cricket player 21-50 least, but where i can find 1-9 cricket player name. then only i can say your choice is good.

please reply to this email,

waiting for your reply.

your are best legspinner in the world shanewarne

best regard.

syed azam, hyderabad, india

I like the idea that a past player has come forward and given his top 50 players, despite how ridiculous some of the placements seem. I wish other past players would do the same and then we could compare. Remember, this is Warnes' perspective as a player, he is seeing things from a different angle (more interactive with the players) than we are. Every one I'm sure would have a few surprises of their own. Having said that though, there are some HUGE surprises thus far. I wonder what the top 10 is like. It will be interesting to see the placement of Lara vs Tendulkar and McGrath vs Ambrose. I look forward to see them, if they are in Warne's top 10.

Demus, Kingston, WI

Lets be honest- were all a bit dissapointed with the selections so far- (Well i am ) but whats important is who will be the Top Ten - after much thinking (10 seconds?) for ME the top ten has to be based on the rest of his list- Warne will pick Lara, Mcgrath, Tendulkar, Akram, Ponting, Murali, Inzi, Taylor, and the other 2 - im stumped! MAYBE Miandad - Ranatunga - - Goughy? as a joke? HAHA and i dunno maybe an obscure person we will think NO WAY! But definately the 8 above! Either way- im upset that Yousuf was so low- and AKHTAR above Waqar! Wat dream world!

Mohammed Ullah, Manchester, England

How many Australian's? Are you ranking them based on your personal experience ( With players you played or know them)or Are they, your all times best? Can you clarify....

Marc Master, Atlanta, USA

top ten:
lara
sachin
mcgrath
wasim akram
ambrose
ponting/mark taylor
allan border
vvs laxman
murali
healy

Subu, Atlanta, USA

Mark Waugh at no. 12? Ahead of Gooch, Dravid? You must be joking.

John, Godalming,

Hey where are Javaid Miandad, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Kapil Dev, Brian Lara, Sir Don Bradman, Sir Gary Sobers, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguli, Sunil Gavaskar, Arjuna Ranatunga, Richi Richardson, micheal Holding, Saqlain Mushtaq, Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Viv Richards and off course Inzamam ul Haq????? I ve also not seen Glenn Mcgrath, Virendar Sehwag and Zaheer Abbas as well............................... Lets hope that Shane has a good memory about these players aswell......................

bilal, Lahore, Pakistan

i dont know where is the list heading....
.
.there are lots of...players England and Australia...
.
.there are some..... debatable inclusions..in the list..... and som misorder too.....
..
Noticeably ..inclusions of.....
1.Brian McMillan (even Kiwis wont ...agree)
2.Alec Stewart (see at his stats and impact.... its not worth)
3.Ravi Shastri (just becoz of one inning)
4. Tim May (i dont know....)
5. Darren Lehmann (he wont b even in Oz's TOP 25)


And look at the misorder...
.
.45 Waqar Younis( i bet if anyone can bowl those yorkers)
40 Kapil Dev (this man won World Cup for india)
33 Allan Donald (He was the face for Pace Bowling)
26 Steve Waugh.(Man of steel.... he was a leader ..wat even warne cannt dream of .... if steve is ranked that ..... i dont feel...Michael Vaughan ..shud b in the list.....)...
.
..
.20-11.... is fine... but there is little left for imagination..... with most probably likes of Ponting ,Sachin,Lara, Murli, McGranth,Ambrose, Akram,Warne,

Tauqir, Delhi, India

What a relief! given the spontaneity of the list, Lara made it to the top ten. Or did he?

Neil Duke, Toronto,

Here's your top 10, but the order is hard - I've placed it in descending order: Inzaman Healy Ambrose Taylor Tendulkar Border Ponting Murali McGrath Lara

Deej, London,

I bet one surprise name will appear in top ten He is NAVJOTSINGH SIDDU who gave nightmares to warnie any takers?

uday phatak, mumbai, india

The only reason you have Flintoff as what you term "still the best all rounder in the world" is because you lost the ashes against him. Check the stats of the other two all rounders you have played against and place at number 27. They are GREAT all rounders. Flintoff is good, but not quite in their league. Thankfully for Australia's sake, you were never made the test captain.

Garrick, Johannesburg, RSA

Steve at 26 and Mark at 12? You are on drugs Warnie...

Rick N, Sydney,

gili gotta b in top 10......he is outstanding both with his gloves n bat...perhaps the best keeper-batsman(not batsman-keeper) ever to play

limon, tokyo, japan

Surely you are joking Herr Warne. No 'Very' 'Very' 'Very' 'Special' Laxman, Mohd. Azharuddin, Saurav Ganguly. You must be drinking a lot these days. Laxman was the first batsman (after Tendya, and Lara) to have constantly got the better of you maan. Azhar never really cared much for your bowling, infact I remembered he looking quite bored as he played to every conceivable part of the ground in 1998, and for Ganguly you were just another spoilt brat. Are these the reasons for your amnesia.

joe chris, Hyderabad, India

I know.. Ricky ponting and sachin tendulkar are in the top three..

Samarth, East Lansing, United States

Well i think it is Warnie's personal opinion..so rather than judging him..y dont u let it be!! Most of you have a prob with his Top 50..Y dont each one of you individually come up with a TOP 50 and ask The Times to publish it!!!

tushar, flint,

Of all the cricketers you lot have mentioned, no one has mentioned the name of the cricketer without whom there probably would have been no Shane Warne, the man who reintroduced the forgotten art of Leg spin into modern day cricket; argubly the best leg spinner of all time; Abdul Qadir!

akram, London,

Shane Warne is no stranger to controversy. it's too difficult to predict his mind. just my guess for the top ten -

lara
border
mcgrath
tendulker
muralitharan
ponting
ambrose
wasim
mark taylor
laxman

masum , Hongkong, Hongkong

I don't believe Warnie is claiming that this is anything but his own personal selection, nor is he claiming that it's infallible and objective. However he's a player who understands and thinks a lot about the game, and some of his comments have been perceptive and illuminating. Players often see things differently than we do.

Bob, Johannesburg,

i can predict nos 10-1

wasim
sachin
murali
punter
lara
piegon
tubby
inzi

see whenever a player picks his favorites he is bound to rank those with whom he has played in a team higher because he has known them from close quarters..i myself dont agree with kapils and waqars ranking but it might be just that when their paths crossed with warneys they might not be at their peak

arpit, calcutta, india

lara
tendulkar
warne
murali
akram
ponting
mcgrath
healy
ambroz
tayler
ohhhhhhhhh cant see ant place for Imran Khan, Miandad, Saleem Malik , Slater, Gangoli, Saqlain, Bond, Dean johns etc etc

zain, lahore, pakistan

woh back? where's cullinan? huge omission warnie. he was marvellous against Bangadesh - have you forgotten? love merv but ahead of waqar? enjoying it anyhoo

Nick, Somerville, Vic OZ

My guesses:

10. VVS Laxman
5. Ricky Ponting
4. Glenn McGrath
2. Brian Lara
1. Sachin Tendulkar

Can some one fill up the blanks?

Sandeep Lekhwani, Sunnyvale, USA

Likely top 10 :
Mcgrath
Tendulkar
Lara
Ponting
Ambrose
Wasim
Taylor
Bishop
Miandad
Healy
( No England cricketer there!)

Prasanna S, Bangalore,

Merv Huges 18th. This is the funniest top 50 ever. No disrespect but merv huges better the waqar, thats like saying Nicky Butt is more skillfull the Pele. I think no 1 is going to be salim malik. HAHA.

David Robinson., Newcastle upon tyne , Tyne & Wear

not i order here is wat i think it ll be
sachin.....lara......mcgrath....ponting....akram....murali....border.....ambrose...warne....one surprise may be sangakarra or saqlain or vvs.

Muhammad Usman, Lahore, Pakistan

Warney..i agree with a previous poster that you are probably the greatest of all leg-spinners, but your analysis is way off. How come Courtney Walsh is your only West Indian from 50-11?? That is insane!

Leslie Scotland, New York, USA

Does anybody really care about this list?

David Erasmus, Jacksonville, USA

shane warn himself and muralli must be in top 5 and wasim akram should be in top 10

umar , Rawlpindi, Pakistan

Warne "clued" in his column that his Top Ten splits exactly between Australians & others. So, these guesses I see here are off even to begin with. I think I see is Tendulkar being rated #1. Lara probably #2...

Desi, Chicago,

I don't understand any reason why Darren Lehmann is in top 25 of all time test players. Is it just because he is an Australian. Its shame to world cricket. Allan Donald is behind Shoaib and of course behind Lehmann. Coming to match winning capabilities, how many times did we see Akhtar making matches win. Saeed Anwar is great player, no doubt; but can he match the technique of Mohammad Yousuf. Joke of all. Kallis is behind Lehmann, Lee , Fleming and Kumble. I pity you Kallis. You are neither in Twenty20 team nor in top 25 World best Test players list. We can't compare Kumble and Donald, still can Kumble be better than Donald? I wonder how Warne will accommodate more than 20 players in top 10 positions(Lara,Sachin,Warne,Ponting,Muralidharan, Richards, Marshal, Bradman, Wasim Akram, Rhodes(after all he is the best fielder), Border, Inzi, Gavaskar, McGrath, Walter Hammond, Roberts, Lloyd, Garner, Hadlee). Lets see.
Warnie. You did a mistake. You should have put Lehmann in top 10.

Appaji, Hyderabad, India

don bradman
Gary Sobers
Wasim Akram
Glenn McGrath
sachin tendulkar
Jonty Rhodes
brian lara
muttiah muralitharan
Grame Pollock
Hansie Cronje

Yasir Khan, Attock, Pakistan

according to me its shane warnes list and he is rating the players that he thought where tough, gave him a hard time or where gud to him or the company of whom he enjoyed rather than the actual quality of players thts y players like lehmann,hughes, tim may,shastri n harmison figure in this list .i think thts the only basis on which he is selecting his players but i was baffled to see him miss vinod kambli from the list who blasted him all over in sharjah u never know he may put him in his top 10 If thats the way its sad becoz i was a big fan of warnie still m but this list is no where comes to justifying the actual qualities of the players.

vineet, bangalore, india/karnataka

I was going to say the same Warne will be number 1 just because this isn't a truly serious list. It's good fun to read and cricket is a game and Warne is an entertainer. Nice to see some seriousness taken out of life once in a while. I would have liked to see Curtly Ambrose in the 50 though.

Mark, Newton-le-Willows,

Lets see who is left now, for me the last ten should have, Murlitharan, Tendulkar, Lara, Ambrose, Wasim, Ponting, McGrath. I will be surprised if any of them are missing. He can then top the list up with his mates like Hussey, Bevan, Mark Taylor etc.

Farhan, London, UK

Mr.Shane Warne, where is Brian Lara,Wasim Akram, Imran khan, Javed Miandad, Sachin Tendulkar,Saurav Ganguly, stands in your list. How you catagories these great stalwarts and what is your criteria for selection. You are missing great West Indian once a mighty power in cricket. Thanks & Regards, MUNAWAR ALI KHAN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

MUNAWAR ALI KHAN, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Good list Warnie. As an Adelaide boy, I'm glad managed to get Lehmann in there. A seriously underrated player.
I don't disagree with Merv Hughes being in the list, but there is no way he should be ranked above Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald. Also, Tim May was a good player (another Croweater), but I disagree with placement, as with Hughes.
I'm intrigued to see who you will pick for your top ten.

Nick, Adelaide, South Australia

i miss imran khan in this list he desrve the place in the list

ghaffar, karachi, pakistan

too many people are missing the point here!!! This list is of players he played against!!! He Did not play against or with Viv Richards, Don Bradman, Javed Miandad, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Malcolm Marshall, Gordon Greenidge, Richie Benaud etc. These players were all before his time. I even question the logic of why he put in Kapil Dev. Not because i don;t think Kapil Dev was a champion, but because Warne hardly played a test against him, and by 1991 Kapil was at the tail end of his career... My prediction of his top ten (in no particular order)
Border, Taylor, Healy, Ambrose, Akram, McGrath, Ponting, Murali, Tendulker, Lara (Outside Chance: Bishop, Thorpe, Dean Jones; remember he would have played alot of cricket with Deano given they were both Victorians, Richie Richardson, Inzaman)

damo, melbourne, victoria

abdul qadir is missing, i m sure he will be in top 10 of shane warne, if he's not just generating this list without thinking, for some good bucks, some selections are so weird, harmison, tim and mcgil ahead of waqar, flintoff so high, so many greats have been left out, i think for every spot from 10 to 1, there will be a tie, otherwise sober, imran khan, botham, i mean rating flintoff better then these all rounders is STRANGE ... qadir, saqlain missing and kumble and mcgill there, it's nothing but mind storming. the moment he think of some good player he puts it there without pondering much.

khan, lahore, pakistan

I think he forgot Sir Viv Richards and Imran Khan and Sir Gary Sobers and Ian Botham and Sunil Gavaskar and Inzamam ul Haq and Saurav Ganguly and Javed Miandad and Mr Wright and Sir Don Bradman and Micheal Holding and.. *chokes* Psst... Darren Lehman's better than all of those I suppose. lol.

Arsalan Khan, Karachi, Pakistan

Warney mate, your a legend, bit of a crack head, but a legend! Flemo so high? ..and KP has played more tests than Lehmann has substantially better average, and lets be honest here...is a tad more dynamic!

Andrew, Dunedin, NZ,

I am shocked not to see the name of Ian Healy or Mark Taylor in your list of Top10 @ Johnny.

Sachin Tendulkar
Wasim Akram
Mark Taylor
Allan Border ( not that sure though )
Curtley Ambrose
Ian Healy
Brian Lara
Glenn McGrath
Muralitharan ( ???? )
Ricky Ponting

VVS and Inzy might miss out!

Masud Vorajee, Surat, Gujarat, India

I bet one surprise name will come across
i. e. Navjotsingh Siddu in Top Ten

any taker

uday phatak, mumbai, india

I'm forced to agree with you arnab in this order I reckon. It's a ridiculous list though because even if all these deserving cases get in, he's missed out Inzamam, Vaas, Jayawardene, Sangakara, Azharrudin (sp) and included Bruce reid. Who?

Laxman
Taylor
Wasim
Border
McGrath
Ponting
Ambrose
Murali
Tendulka
Lara

It won't be Richards cos they neve played against each other. It won't be bond because he's done nothing much in the game due to injury.

bill, coventry,

hey guys

Chillax, we need to take into consideration Warney's perspective well he may have found some players real good and some not as good as others, whats the harm in letting the world know bout his perspective. why do people make remarks as if Warney has committed a sin by grading Steve lower than Mark , just Chill and enjoy

Mandar, Pune, India

Your missing his favourite keeper - Ian Healy

In no particular order
Allan Border
Mark Taylor
Ian Healy
Ricky Ponting
Muttiah Muralitharan
Glenn Mcgrath
Curtly Ambrose
Wasim Akram
Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar

No Laxman, Inzamum, Dean Jones, Shane Bond, Sangakkarra

SF, Vevey, Switzerland

I think Warny has some insights about his list which isn't clear in his explanations. What's that dear Warny?

Zubo Ahmed, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Good on you Shane - you're the best spin bowler there will ever be, but that doesn't mean you have any brains. ......

John, Brisbane, Australia

Though this is to do something with warney,I cannot agree with his theory of having Steve Waugh at 26,and the list include a lot of victorians like Siddons and Merv Hughes who are average.

I think his top ten will be,

Murali,Border,Mark Taylor,Lara,Tendulkar,Ambrose,Akram,Mcgrath,Luxman

terry , CHENNAI, INDIA

Everyone will have their opions, the Indians pick Indian greats; the Aussie's pick theirs etc. This is Shane Warne's opinion of HIS greatest cricketers - let the man speak his voice!!

Whoever he chooses it's been a great read to learn what Shane thinks. As I've never played cricket against or with any of the above; this feature has been a fantastic portal to learn the thoughts and feelings of one of the greatest cricketers to grace this earth.

At least the man has the guts to speak his mind - let's at least respect that and let him have the voice to speak it freely.

Looking forward to hearing his thoughts on the top ten. Even if he chooses to be no. 1; you can't really argue with 708 test wickets!! I hope he will pick Mark Crawley in his top ten list, a very under rated cricketer that should have played more test cricket and a mate of his from Hampshire!!

Saneth Wijayaratna, Nottingham, UK

Most of these big names will make any top 50 even proposed by some spectator but may be some spectator wud have done a better arrangement and argument ..

Tim May at 31 and MacGill at 39 ?
Langer at 41 and Lehmann at 25 ?

Well Mr. Warnie, if ur unable to do justice with ur own countrymen then how can u do it with the others ..

As for ur argument about Waqar feeding off Wasim, one cannot say who fed off who .. it can easily be the another way around .. that was the beauty of their partnership .. Yet if Steve Waugh doesn't get higher ranking just bcuz he was not a match-winner (although i think it's just the captaincy / jealousy issue) then Waqar won too many matches for Pakistan, more than most of the guys above him .. I'm failing to understand the criterion of ur ' LIST ' ...

Matthew, London, UK

45 Waqar Younis
37 Stephen Harmison
33 Allan Donald
29 Shoaib Akhtar
24 Brett Lee

you really have no idea what good fast bowling is do u?

john, nyc, ny

imran khan had better be in the top 10 but the you have made the list i doubt thats possible

Ali Haroon, Lahore, Pakistan

What's with all the joint awards? Making room for Shane's top five, which just might include S.Warne, Shane Wanne etc!!
This bloke is so narrow minded he can look thru a keyhole with both eyes!

Simon, Sydney, NSW

Most of you have forgotten Ian Healy ? the greatest gloveman in modern times.
1.Tendulkar
2.Lara
3.Akram
4.Mcgrath
5.Murali
6.Ponting
7.Ambrose
8.Healy
9.Taylor
10.laxman
Other possibilities include Border,Inzamam

Dominic, Bradford,

Brian Lara
Sachin Tendulkar
Imran Khan
Waseem Akram
Shane warne/Muttuiah Murlitharan
Steve Waugh
Inzamam ul haq
Viv Rihards
Malolm Marsha;
Sunil Gavaskar/allan border

Mouris, delhi, india(j&k)

1. Ricky Ponting
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Brian Lara
4. Glen Mcgrath
5. Shane Warne
6. Allan Border
7. Wasin Akram
8. Curtly Ambrose
9. Murali
10. Inzamam/VVS Laxman


I feel Gavaskar/Viv Richards will not be there as Warne never played against them. IF they are there then Warne will need to include other names such as Don, Sobers, Lilly.

raj, New York, USA

HIs top ten are curtley ambrose, sachin tendulkar, brian lara, wasim akram, mark taylor, Glen Mcgrath, ricky ponting, thorpe, damien martyn, hansie crojne.

soumit, sy,

Despite his controversial carriers, the great leg spinner has last done some good jobs selection the cricketers on merit.
i agree him about the ratings of steve waugh. he was not match winner. well done list

ameet mishra, dharan, NEPAL

its quite starange he doesnt have place for....many great Players who played in the same time..
West indies
Richie Richerdson
Curtely Ambrose,
Corney Walsh
Carl Hooper
Lara (may be at top 10)
England
Marcus Trescothick

India
Anil Kumbile
Sovrove Ganguly
Mohammed Azarudine
Javagl Sreenath
Sachin(may be at top 10)

New Zealand
Shane Bond
Daniel Vetorie

Pakistan
Insamam Ul Huq
Wasim Akram( May be at top ten)

Sri Lanka
Murali ( May be at top ten)

South Affrica
Jhonty Rhodes
Daryl Cullinan
Bret Shultz
Gary Kirsten
Lance Klusner

Like they can find many great player than his list. How dare he can select player who never played for test cricket as best than others..its obevious we can find many good players who hasent palyed any test or international games. But thats only limited to the country and not for the world.

then he should select best 50 Aussies and not from the world...this is ridicules

sanjeewa, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Salute for the order so far but the top 10 might raise more remarks.

Dharendra Thaoa, baltimore, Maryland

don bradman
Gary Sobers
Wasim Akram
Glenn McGrath
sachin tendulkar
Jonty Rhodes
brian lara
muttiah muralitharan
Grame Pollock
Hansie Cronje

Yasir, Attock, Pakistan

Sachin Tendulkar
Brian Lara
Vivian Richards
Ricky Ponting
Glen McGrath
Wasim Akram
VVS Laxman
Sunil Gavaskar
Allan Border
Muttiah Muralidharan

Vikranth, Louisville, USA/KY

I think Shane Warne has every right to offer his 50 top players for our digestion. Given that he has played for so long at the highest levels he should have a better idea on whos up to it than we armchair viewers. I love reading oprions on why people are as good when they are from those with first hand experience. Cheers Warner.

Glenn, Wanaka, New Zealand

What a wierd list ! But an interesting take..warne lives and thrills in his own way..

Ashok Krishna, Santa Ana, CA

wow, Mr warnie, you've given what Mr Aravinda de Silva deserves. the only rank i don't agree with is Steve Waugh he is much much better player and a captain than you think. True Mark Taylor handed a great team to him but he should stand somewhere in top 10 in my book. really looking forward to see the No 1 in your book. well done. we enjoyed the battle between you and Murali. wish you were still playing Test cricket. all the best.

thank you
s.d.d chamala

dhamindu chamala, colombo, sri lanka

Who remains then?

1- Tendulkar
2-Lara
3-Ponting
::::::::::::::
Akram
Laxman
Muralidharan
Azharduddin
Inzamam
Ambrose

Galois, Lausanne, Switzerland

@Neel

Warne didnt play against Miandad, Imran, Botham and thats why he has avoided them from the list

Masud Vorajee, Surat, Gujarat, India

great list to read, more than the rating it's the the words of appreciation shown by great champion to his peers that makes it enjoyable. Looking forward to the last 10!

rabin, Chennai, India

20-11 looks more practical and acceptable...still Hughes, Flintoff...considering Kapil at #40...anyway its Warnes choice, not cricket worlds..

MH, Gwangju, Korea

Chris Rowland,
Ian Botham will not be considered. Warne never played against him in test cricket.
As I said below the top ten will be

5 Aussies

Border
Taylor
Pointing
McGrath
Healy

5 Rest of the World

Tendulkar
Lara
Ambrose
Wasim Akram
Saqlain Mushtaq

This leaves out Muli, Inzzy, Laxmann, Bond etc from the top 50...

David Regan, Glasgow,

Everyone, remember, these are just his picks. He has got people thinking and talking cricket which is a good thing. Movie critics get people talking about movies, but don't get upset if you don't agree with them. My rankings would not be the same as his either, but they are just that, Shane Warne's top 50.

Brian, Madras, Oregon, USA

Mr.Warne....

Dravid at 14, you gotta be kiddin me..Man.. he is the best batsman currently TEST cricket have...Pure test player..& more imp quite adaptable to all situations.. Check his records overseas...Do ponting can match that?....& also check out his match winning knocks..

Sachin, Delhi, India

My guess of his top 10 (not in any order)

Sachin Tendulkar
Brian Lara
Ricky Ponting
Murlitharan
Steve McGraw
Allan Border (has he played against him?)
Inzamanul haq
Ganguly ??? (surprised he was lower; hence not sure he is even on the list)

antar, Boston, MA

My view on the final 10, may be a little biased towards India.

1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Brian Lara
3. Viv Richards
4. Shane warne
5. Wasim Akram
6. Sunil Gavaskar
7. Allan Border
8. Glenn Macgrath
9. Mark Taylor
10. VVS Laxman

arun prasad, Bangalore, India/Karnataka

how can you you rate Mark Waugh above Steve Waugh?

You must have heard the joke on the pitch, where Mark Waugh says to english tail end batsmen Robert Croft "your not good enough to play here mate!", the tail end batsmen replies "at least I'm the best cricketer in my family!"

akram, London,

Top ten players;
Not including Warne as this is his list.
1) Sachin Tendulkar- to have so much weight of expectation and be producing the goods day in day out is fantastic
2) Glenn Mcgrath- best fast bowler of the past fifteen years.
3) Vivian Richards - such a great attitude and immense class
4) Ricky Ponting- relentless accumulator of runs.
5) Curtly Ambrose - a consistent ability to turn matches. Rarely gave away free runs.
6) Murali - match winner and talisman for a moderate bowling attack without him
7) Wasim Akram - left armer with variation and surprising pace. Also could hold a bat
8) Brian Lara - the most attractive batsman to watch in world cricket
9) Adam Gilchrist - sorry Warne but going to have to put him in the top ten just for the sheer number of matches he has won
10) Inzamam Ul Haq - it is rare for a player of such stature to buck the trend to fit and toned players. Could take apart any attack effortlessly.

David Edwards, Hereford, Uk

Waqar at 45? Coomon Shane!

Saad, Luton, UK

hmm small change in top 10 prediction 1.Bradmen 2. Murali/Warne 3. Vivian richards 4. Garfield Sobers 5. Vivian Richards 6 . Brian Lara 7. Sachin Tendulkar 8. Ricky Ponting 9. Glen Macgrath 10. Wasim Akram

Lashan, Colombo, Sri Lannka

i think Sanath Teran Jayasuriyah is rated quite far in the top fifty rankings...he has given great contribution to cricket and a superb entertainer when batting...he has also been a great alrounder taking more than 300wickets n has scored more than 12000 runs...i think he should be ranked in top 20..

Mustafa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

hahaha Mark Waugh ahead of Steve Waugh, the last 10 should be entertaining. Lets see people left - SRT Lara Ponting Akram Pigeon Inzy Murli Imran Khan Ganguly? Vaas? Hooper? Gavaskar? Border? Mark Taylor? Gayle? Chanders? How is he going to fit in so many quality players in the last 10. This should be exciting.

Aneesh Butani, Dubai,

Gilchrist on 20? Difficult to believe. He should definitely be in the top 10 (if not in top 5). Nevertheless, this is not a rating, this is what Warney thinks. And he has never shied away from controversy, has he?

Rajesh Dhakal, Christchurch, NZ

So who do we have coming....Tendulkar, Lara, McGrath, Ambrose, Akram, Inzamam, Muralitharan, Border, Ponting & Laxman

Rohit, Seattle, WA, USA

Let me try my luck here. The top ten are 10.VVS Laxman 9. Inzamam-ul-Huq 8. Muralitharan 7. Wasim Akram 6. Curtley Ambrose 5. Ricky Ponting 4. Glenn Mcgrath 3. Shane Warne 2. Sachin Tendulkar 1. Vrian Lara

Ramakrishna, bangalore, India

ask guys like ian chappel about this stufff man i m very much sure he ll b totally diffrnt than him

amir, los angeles, USA/CA

look whr david boon and bruce raid and tim may are man damn this is total nonsense to me

amir, los angeles, USA/CA

My Top Ten:
1. Brian Lara(He has single handedly tried his best to upthrust an already half-sunk West Indian ship, and has dominated Shane more than anybody else on earth. Muttaih Murali's comments stands as a testimony to the fact that he is by far the best. One could only imagine his stats, if he were in the Australian team, playing with absolutely no pressure at all on him!!).
2. Wasim Akram(The greatest fast-bowler ever to have shown up on God's green earth. I have heard people say that they could watch, if he and Lara alone played the game!)
3. Curtly Ambrose(Along with Walsh, he unleashed a reign of terror)
4. Shane Warne(No one can ever forget the 'Ball of the century'. Absolute privilege to watch him play)
5. Sachin Tendulkar(Arguably, the best player of modern era. But, he always enjoyed support from stars like Ganguly, Dravid, Azhar for most of his career, which Lara didnt).
6. Muttaih Muralitharan
7. Glenn McGrath
8. Ricky Ponting
9. Imran Khan
10. Shane Bond

Rakesh Rajagopalan, Chennai, India

Shane warnes final ten

1.Shane warne
2. Ricky ponting
3.Glen mcgrath
4. Alan Border
5.Donald bradman
6.Garfield Sobers
7. Denis Lillee
8. Rodney Marsh
9.mark taylor
10.John Howard

shankar, canberra,

I think Shane's view have been very good. He cant just put all the players on the list, otherwise it will not be a good list. I think he has rated them very well and based on when he played. Its his opinion and no once has the right to say he is biased becuase if you are saying that then look at your own comments and he can say the same back to you. Shane is the worlds best bowler cricket has seen till date or will. Murli is very good. But because of a some problem with his bone he gets that extra edge. Shane bowled straight and had no such advantage. And remember his wickents have been in Australia and England where there is not such spin as the sub continent. Did not play much matches against easier countries like Bangladesh etc. So guys respect the guy for his view. He is a Ledgend and always will be.

Anshuman Bakshi, London, UK

I Think he's not Gonna put himself in the list but will name himself above all of them as their "Teacher."
and i will not be surpriced if he do not put murali's name in the list

Raghu, Sydney,

I don't understand any reason why Darren Lehmann is in top 25 of all time test players. Is it just because he is an Australian. Its shame to world cricket. Allan Donald is behind Shoaib and of course behind Lehmann. Coming to match winning capabilities, how many times did we see Akhtar making matches win. Saeed Anwar is great player, no doubt; but can he match the technique of Mohammad Yousuf. Joke of all. Kallis is behind Lehmann, Lee , Fleming and Kumble. I pity you Kallis. You are neither in Twenty20 team nor in top 25 World best Test players list. We can't compare Kumble and Donald, still can Kumble be better than Donald? I wonder how Warne will accommodate more than 20 players in top 10 positions(Lara,Sachin,Warne,Ponting,Muralidharan, Richards, Marshal, Bradman, Wasim Akram, Rhodes(after all he is the best fielder), Border, Inzi, Gavaskar, McGrath, Walter Hammond, Roberts, Lloyd, Garner, Hadlee). Lets see.
Warnie, you did a mistake. You should have put Lehmann in top 10.

Appaji, Hyderabad, India

having darren lehmann ahead of yousuf, anwar, kallis....
bret lee ahead of waqar, pollock.......i dont see any reason to rate your ratings any where!

Saad Abdullah, Karachi, Pakistan

Shane's views are as enegmatic as his bowling.Few of the players are those who might not figure in Top 50 of Australia.... Just because he has not shared dressing room with Waqar Younis ...doesn't mean Merve Hughe is better than the tearway..Waqar...

Gaurab Mishra, Mumbai, India

So it seems Taylor and Gooch are better openers then Hayden. Mark Waugh ahead of his brother.

Oh dear shane. No wonder you were never made captain.

BD, Brisbane, Australia

I guess we need to repeat this for those who seem to be struggling with the fact: This is Shane Warne's list of the best players he played with or against during his career. Therefore, it is going to be subjective and personal. I don't agree with them all either, but then again, I never played with or against any one on this list; as I'm sure is the case with most people responding on this forum. Just enjoy it for what it is, a highly talented and respected player's list (respected in the cricketing sense) of athletes he respected during his long international career.

Jeff, Buderim, Australia

sam this is Shane Warne's 50 greatest cricketers and not Sam' s 50 greatest cricketeres....

Shane has every right to position players by following his own standards.

Prabhakar Kasi, Chennai, India / Tamil Nadu

Andrew Flintoff ahead of Jacques Kallis, Chris Cairns, Shaun Pollock, and Sanath Jayasuria? One great series does not make you the greatest allrounder of all time. It is a very Australian biased list as well. Lehman, May, and McDermott, Langer, Reid, Hughes, Boon, Mark Waugh. Though some of them deserve to be in the top 50, they are all over-rated. And 2 truly great Australians Steve Waugh and Adam Gilcrest are underrated. Warnes probably putting his favourite drinking mates and a few random good cricketers in this list. My prediction for top 10 (in no particular order):
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
McGrath
Ponting
Bevan
Bradman
Lara
Tendulkar
Shane Keith Warne (at no. 1 of course)

Steve, Hamilton, New Zealand.

I think the list is ok, and 11-20 seems reasonable. I think some bowlers should have been higher. But hey this is Shane Warne's list not your everyday bloke, who let's face it would himself have a less then objective view when it comes to his top cricketers. Leave it be and enjoy it for what it is.

Parth Pala, Delhi, India

good to see m.waugh high in the list. i remember a sunday arvo at SCG, 94-95 i think, NSW v. VIC warne v. mwaugh, lunch to tea session, i think waugh got the upper hand, $5 in, members stand only opened, it was better than the tests, in fact , same applies today , with all the CORPORATE BALLYHOO that goes on at the SCG now ! regards Ica in Sydney

ica, tempe, nsw

Are you as genuinely intelligent as people say you are?! Granting the benifit of doubt to you, I get the feeling that you are doing all this just for the fun of reading all these replies.

If not, I know at least one reason now, why Steve was chosen as captain and not you, after Mark.

Apyboutit, Houston, USA

McGrath in the top 5, maybe even first

Brendan, Engadine, New South Wales

my personal top 10 would be(though a few are already mentioned)..in no particular order =

tendulkar
lara
mc grath
warne
viv richards
botham
imran khan
kapil dev
hadlee
ponting
clive lloyd

tushar, flint,

It is his personal opinion, I am sure if Brian Lara or Sachin were to rank players, the list will have core players but there will be variances . I reckon Tendulkar, Lara and Laxman are dead certs in the top 10. McGrath, Ambrose, Wasim, Murali, Taylor, Border and Ponting.

Shane gives credit where it is due and I personally think as an Indian myself that he is not biased. It his honest opinion. Look at SR Waugh ranking of 26.

Nibs, Southampton, UK

I'm enjoying this list and of course it is Shane Warne's opinion. But I do have to add my two cents in that Flintoff is way to high, just look at some of the others that should be ahead of him (even if they're not all rounders):

1) Kallis - Flintoff could not even clean his batting shoes
2) Pieterson - far better
3) Steve Waugh - no argument here
4) And a few more too - Pollock, McMillan, Younis, Dev, Jayasuria

Looking forward to the top 10 - Warney, put yourself at 1, you deserve the spot.

KBS, London, England

Warne has gone completely mad.Merv Hughes over Kapil Dev? Tim May over Donald and Jayasuriya? Gimme a break...

Tom, London,

Chris Harris!!?? erm .... ok

Simon, London, UK

I think that Mark Waugh at no. 12 is a little bit high Warnie. For all that he was an elegant player and fieldsmen, in the end he was probably left in the Australian team for 18 months too long. His record would have been better if he had retired earlier.

And as for Adam Gilchrist's "keeping is improving" - I think that is just plain wrong. Adam Gilchrist is one of the best glovemen the game has ever seen - the legside stumping of Yousof Youhana in the Boxing Day Test two years ago is just one example of how good a keeper he is. I do agree with his place at 19 though - there have been few more explosive players to have graced world cricket.

Andrew, Perth, Australia

i hope he doesnt forget to mention wasim akram imran khan javed miandad in the final 10 what about ambrose vivian richards tendulkar vaas lara nitni here i have named 9 already come on warney u could have done much better then that

Raza, Peshawar, Pakistan

shane pls dont place ur self in the no-1 position it should be someone who everyone will admire .muneer.chennai

MUNEER, chennai1, india

I guess Shane never saw a lot of cricketers in his time. There are at least 30 more players to go in that top 10. And how can Gilchist be left out of that top 10.

Richard Pyne, Brampton, Canada

i think that we are seeing Warnie morph into a male version of Germaine Greer.

Chriso, Brisbane, Australia

Guys - it is players he PLAYED against. Bradman & Sobers had just finished their careers by the time Warne started!!!!!!!

Andrew, Brisbane, Australia

where is Afridi?
where are Miandad and Inzamam?

faisal, london, UK

Warneeee you fall short on your personal assessment...keep on reading cricket history .......

Shakil, Bloomington, MN

I guess your top 10 will be

1) Viv Richards
2) Allan Border
3) McGrath
4) Murli
5) Imran Khan
6) Sachin Tendulkar
7) Laxman
8) Wasim Akram
9) Shane Bond
10) Mark Taylor

I can read your mind Mr Warne ...

Tazz Satti, Dublin, Ireland

Let's not forget that Warne had 13 players listed between 21 and 30. Looking at the list of names who've not been ranked yet, I'm fairly certain we'll see more than 10 players in his top-10 tomorrow.

Badhri, Palo Alto, USA

I think Lara should be the top. The difference between him and Tendulkar (even if Tendulkar did really well against Warne's bowling) is that Lara has so many great individual batting feats (Two test world records, FC batting record, to mention the most prominent ones). He also scored the big runs when it really mattered. The 159 against Australia to win in the 4th innings was an absolute classic). Tendulkar was a heavy scorer in less pressurised situations. Also, Lara had that touch of genius about him, didn't he (similar to Viv Richards in many ways).

monton, london, uk

I can't believe Darren Berry Lehmann and Jamie Siddons got into the top 50. Who's he kidding? What's the top 10 gunna be? Carl Rackemann Tim Zoehrer Greg Campbell Peter Mcintyre Gavin Robertson Matthew Elliot Damien Flemming Michael Bevan Stuart Law Brad Hodge ??? Steve Waugh at 26??? Steve Waugh would have to be top 10.
Looks like he's still bitter that Waugh got the captaincy and is far more respected than he is or ever will be.

Nalin, Perth, WA

My top 10...

1 Sachin
->obviouly the grestest batsmen
2. Murali
-> cos murali will overtake warne soon and no matter what they say he can take 1000 test wickets.
3. Warne
4. Lara
5. Sanath Jayasuriya
-> Are you telling me the only man to get over 12,000 runs and 300 wickets, and the man who can just absolutely destroy bowling attacks even at the age of 37 should not be a top 10????
6. Ian Botham
7. Ambrose
8. Sunil Gavaskar
9. Don Bradman
10. Wasim Akram
Cheers

CJ, London, United Kingdom

hey
the list is about the 50 best cricketers that shane warne has palyed against,not the 50 best of all time...so probably richards wont come there.so the list will probably go like this
1/2:sachin/lara
3 wasim akram
4 curtly ambrose
5glenn mcgrath
6 muralitharan
7ricky ponting
8 inzamam ul haq
9miandad
10....i cant really think of someone but i think i have missed a few australians i suppose

deepak, chenai, india

no VVS(very very special)LAXMAN after how he treated WARNEY?

haidarali, pune, india

Very interesting list and comments! Looks like a googly... even more interesting to see how many will fall for it...

May be "Shane Warne' and his 49 other great cricketers" would be a better title for this list...

Ravi, Colombo, Sri Lanka

The list isn't TOO bad, but there are some shockers. Listing harmison above Waqar is just wrong. Waqar had and still has one of the best strike rates in the game, and you don't get that many wicket by feeding of someone. Also, I think that this is based on his personal experience, because Andrew Flintoff is rated way above Jaques Kallis( WTF!), who should be in the teens. Also, Darren Lehman shouldn't be that high, not as high as STEVE WAUGH. If this is based on his personal experience, then Laxman better be in the top 10, because he has one of the best records against Australia in the game

Saif, Dhaka, India

Can everyone please stop getting so upset!!! Are we not getting the concept her? It's just a blokes list of his favourite players. Surely it must be difficult to cry about a list that has Robin Smith and Tim May at 32 and 31. Doesn't this just highlight (in huge red flashing lights!) that it's just an interesting list of his favourite players that he has seen. Obviously there are at least 32 better batsmen than Robin Smith that have graced a cricket pitch etc. etc.

I mean, I personally wouldn't have David Boon (or Merv Hughes, Stephen Fleming, Robin Smith, Michael Atherton) in my top players of all-time. But it's brilliant to read how a great of the game, like Warne, considers all these fantastic players to be worthy of a mention.

I just hope that Warne has Sir Richard Hadlee in the top 10, not only because he was a brilliant player, but also to help remedy the NZ inferiority complex.

Scott, London,

I know that these things are subjective and there is room for opinion but some of these calls are impossible to sensibly justify. Steve Harmison better than Waqar? We all know Harmy could be great, but he has not consistently demonstrated it. Tim May better than Allan Donald? Merv Hughes better than Steve Waugh? It looks like being a member of the England Ashes 2005 side is a fast-track to greatness in Shane's eyes, as is being a team-mate, especially one who likes a drink and a laugh. On this analysis, expect a top 5 of Geraint Jones, Dimi Mascheranas, Ashley Giles, Shaun Udal and That Bloke Down the Pig and Whistle Who Does Those Hilarious Fart Impressions With His Armpit.

Can we please have a follow-up series from someone who is capable of distinguishing between mateship from greatness?

Greg, Aberdeen, UK

Good on ya Warney, Great to see somebody not afraid to speak their mind instead of trying to be politically correct. Fantastic insite into what you perceive as being a great cricketer. Cricket is more than just the statistics!

Ari Maxwell, Auckland, New Zealand

looking at the list, it is obvious to deduce that Shane is putting players who he has played with/against and even more consideration has been given to how opponent players have played against Australia and also overall.

so based on his 11-50, in my view, if he doesn't include himself in the list from 1-10, it might look as follows (not necessarily in that order):
lara (may be shane's #1)
mcgrath (removes top order n best batsman in first 10 overs)
sachin (nightmare for aus n shane especially)
ponting (prob the best batsman now)
murali (best off-spinner ever)
ambrose (most destructive against top-order)
jonty (transformed aspect of fielding n very gud ODI finisher)
gillespie (best fast bowler who can bowl on any track)
laxman (pain in the a** for aussies vs ind )
inzy (grittiest; '92 SF vs NZ)

CM, NY,

Gilchrist is the best keeper to ever play the game! He has to be in the top 10! Mark Waugh also a little too high!

Matt, Melbourne,

no mohammad azharuddin in the thirties? its unbelievable WARNEY.also no HANSIE CRONJE.

haidarali, pune, india

Get a grip people... this is one man's opinion and a talented one at that!

Lucy D, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Any one esle notice only three South Africans in the list yet we have consistenly both at present and historically (at least past international sanctions) been one of the world greats? Australina bias..... ?

Stuart Denoon-Stevens , Cape Town, South Africa

Hello Ram, Canberra, Australia

Still 1 to 10 to go.......................i bet Sachin is NO 1 for him

Akash, london, UK

Well Mr Warne, i dont know who are in the top ten. I am also waiting for the top 10. A cricketing brain like shane when rates the players like Waqar, Crains, Donald, S.Waugh, etc so low. And players like May, Siddons, Berry, MacGill, Lehmann, and offcourse May so high. Well i dont know what to say. I think the list is biased towards the Australlians (those ones who dont deserved to be in the list) . I think that the feedback Mr. Warne is getting is not good. He should revise the whole list, add some really talented players and less down the players who likely do not deserve to be in the list. Regards.
Fahad Shah

Fahad Shah, Lahore, Pakistan

Warnie has got it spot on. Steve Waugh was a selfish cricketer who cared about his average. Mr 'not out'. Blokes like Hussey that bat with the tail throw their bat and score lots of valuable runs. Waugh wouldn't do that in tests.

Tony Morgan, Brisbane, Australia / Qld

Brilliant, fantastic and controversial as always Mr Warne!!! A great read so far. But Mark Waugh only 12??? He should only be second the one, the only: SK Warne.
Very fair assessments of all the other players and it's great to see credit given where it is due, even if it is given to the Poms.

Alex C, Reading, UK

This is way too biased!! Waqar younis was a much better bowler than his 45th position! And Darren Lehman better than Waugh, yousuf, Anwar, Jayasuriya!? poposterous!!! A match saver is just as important as a match winner!!

Jamil, MILTON KEYNES, England

Few names are in for sure in the top 10. Lara, Tendulkar, Ponting, Wasim, McGrath, Ambrose, Murali and Warne himself. Interesting to see who Warne rates higher, McGrath, Ambrose or Wasim??, Lara, Tendulkar or Ponting??, Murali or himself??

Ryan, Toronto, Canada

I think shane would place SIr donald bradman on top of the list after that Lara, ponting, mcgrath, akram, sachin, murli, imran khan, etc...!

I dont get why waqar is not in top 20?

What about ganguly, inzamam, miandad, azharuddin ranatunga etc???

samad, Karachi, pakistan

Dissappoint with Ranks of Kapil Dev, Waqar Younis, Chris and Cairns, by the way, where is Allen Border, Mark Taylor, Sachin, Bradman, and Lara? Must be in 1-10 list, right?

Rakesh Kumar, Noida, India

looking at the list, it is obvious to deduce that Shane is putting players who he has played with/against and even more consideration has been given to how opponent players have played against Australia and also overall.

so based on his 11-50, in my view, if he doesn't include himself in the list from 1-10, it might look as follows (not necessarily in that order):
lara (may be shane's #1)
mcgrath (removes top order n best batsman in first 10 overs)
sachin (nightmare for aus n shane especially)
ponting (prob the best batsman now)
murali (best off-spinner ever)
ambrose (most destructive against top-order)
jonty (transformed aspect of fielding n very gud ODI finisher)
gillespie (best fast bowler who can bowl on any track)
laxman (pain in the a** for aussies vs ind )
inzy (grittiest; '92 SF vs NZ)

CM, NY, USA

so who else is left for the top 10?

sachin,lara,ponting,mcgrath,ambrose,border,akram,inzamam,laxman(given his record against the aussies) and murali?

Anindo, Hong Kong,

Stuart MacGill, Tim May, and Craig McDermott figure above Dilip Vengsarkar - is it because according to you, they had a greater impact on the game, on their countries, or on youngsters of theri eras? Are you kidding me dude? And was mark Waugh equally graceful in accepting bribe alongwith YOU from matchfixers? hahaha...

Leo, Chicago, USA

.sachin is the greatest..he truely deserves the first place.he won many matches for india than any other batsman.who will get 54 mom and 13 mos.if he is not a match winner then nobody was watch winners in this world

bharath, chennai, india

this is so bull, what in frmae of mind he was when he made this list, may be drunk........How come waqar and kapil are not there among top 15, even top 10.....boy, waqar has the best strike rate in the world....

sam, ballwin, USA

I think Very Very Special(VVs) laxman as australians call will be in the top 10 list

Raj, Vizag, India

Freddy Flintoff ahead of Sanath Jayasuriya and Chris Cairns..........................you must be joking........ Only because he had a good 2005 ashes series against the aussies......doesnt make him a Super All Rounder

Taimur Khan, South Lakes/Perth, Australia/Western Australia

My guess on His top 10(Not in order)

Mcgrath
Ponting
Allan Border
Mark Taylor
Sachin Tendulkar
Wasim Akram
Inzy Haq
Curtley Ambrose
Muralitharan
And the One and Only Brian Charles Lara !

Aswin, Portland, America

now what is left?

mcgrath,shane warne,ricky ponting,bradman,taylor,border,chappel brothers,lillee,thomson


i wonder wether the likes of viv richard,hadley,sachin,murali,inzi,imran khan,gawaskar,wasim akram,sobers,lara,walsh,zaheer abbas,gary kirsten,miandad,.......................ever played the sport

Nabeel Ali, riyadh, saudi arabia

You all need to remember that this is Shane's list of the best 50 players that he has played against. So there can be no Don, Bradman, Viv Richards etc.

Rohan Chambers, New York,

It looks like some people are taking this list too seriously, however in the top ten there has to be places for McGrath, Lillee, Holding and Marshall. On the batting front, Richards (genius), Tendulkar, both far superior to Lara, Ponting. Beefy, of course and finally Warne himself. For sheer bloody mindedness, just might pick Boycott, although that will no doubt be accompanied by hoots of derision. If Murali doesn't make the list, then that is because he is a chucker, enough said!

Dave Little, Richmond, Yorks,

45 Waqar Younis 29 Shoaib Akhtar Are you out of ur mind?

john, nyc, ny

Having been an avid spectator of Test cricket for 42 years we should all remember the impact of uncovered wickets on bowling and batting averages (not to mention the Kerry Packer affect)! Imagine Warnie and Underwood in your attack. Looking forward to 1-10.

Terry Lindon, wirral,

Shane has been involved in a few feuds with these players- Salim Malik, Arjuna Ranatunga, Scott Muller,Darryl Cullinan and Paul Collingwood. Controversy aside- Salim and Arjuna actually have very good records against him but I don't expect them to figure in the list!

Andrew, Canberra, ACT

there are few surprise inclusion in the top 20 and the people which deserve in top 20 are in 40s.
45 Waqar Younis
38 Sanath Jayasuriya
these two players should be in top 20s, both were very good cricketer. in 90s waqar was best fast bowler in the world. he is the inventer of reverse swinging yarker, and sanath is still great, he change the tempo of international cricket and give a new life to cricket in 1996 world cup. waiting for top 10.

naveed, sheffield, uk