Shane Warne’s journey from Upper Ferntree Gully, Melbourne, to the Rose Bowl, Southampton, has provided a number of highs

Sept 2004 When Warne decided to return to England in 2004, it was to build an empire at Hampshire’s new Rose Bowl home. After finishing eighth in the second division in 2003, Warne led them to second place and promotion.

May 2005 Warne has carved many famous dates in cricket, but one that he will fondly remember is May 11, 2005, the day he scored his maiden first-class century, at Canterbury against Kent. Ever the showman, he got there in spectacular fashion, off 72 balls with 15 fours and three sixes.

Sept 2005 One of Warne’s best moments at Hampshire came in his absence as, while he was playing for Australia in the Ashes, the team he built beat Warwickshire at Lord’s to win the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy, their only piece of silverware under Warne. He was an inveterate plugger of his Hampshire team-mates, but they have usually justified his faith. Would Shaun Udal and Dimitri Mascarenhas have played international cricket without the confidence he gave them?

But Warne’s success story has not been without its low points

Sept 2000 Playing in England, as opposed to against England, has been more of a challenge.

His first taste of not being able to spin a Hampshire season single-handedly came in 2000. He took 70 first-class wickets at an average of 23.14, but could not prevent Hampshire’s relegation in the first season of two-division cricket.

June 2005 Despite his exceptional bowling form, this was probably one of the worst years of Warne’s life. After a string of tabloid tales of indiscreet text messages and affairs, Warne separated from Simone, his wife and the mother of his three children.

Sept 2005 Things did not improve on the pitch as Hampshire finished second in the championship. Warne’s passion overflowed into vitriol against David Fulton, the Kent captain, for what he saw as handing Nottinghamshire the title. Although Hampshire have always been in the championship race under Warne, that was their best chance.

Words by Matthew Pryor