CRICKET has been very, very good to me, but I have had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way. Spending so much time away from home puts enormous pressure on any relationship and means I have not seen as much of my family as a father with a “normal” job. To succeed in the game these days takes a lot of dedication.

At the end of the day, I think the game has cost me a hell of a lot in my personal life, along with some poor choices by yours truly. Unfortunately, you only have a short time span as a cricketer for Australia. Mine has been longer than most but, touch wood, it will only be around 20 per cent or so of my life. You have to make the most of that opportunity but I am looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with my kids when I do retire — they are the joys of my life and my inspiration. I love them so much and can’t wait to spend all my time with them, and enjoying watching them grow up and turn into young adults, and just being there for them.

I think I have established my place in the history of cricket, but no matter how many Tests I play and wickets I take, I like to think my biggest contribution has been to make spin bowling exciting and even fashionable, and to attract young kids to play our great game.

We have to remember we are part of the entertainment industry. Spectators support their team but they also want to see excitement. That is why Twenty20 has been so popular in England and has started to spread to other parts of the world including Australia. I have always tried to keep people interested in the game and played every game competitively whether it is for St Kilda, Victoria, Hampshire or Australia. I have tried to become the best player I could be.

Yes, I have done a few stupid things along the way, on and off the field. There are some people who think I am a bit of an idiot and, at times, I would have to admit they’ve been right. But whether they love me or hate me, they are still interested in me and when you cut through everything else I think that is because of the way I play the game. Cricket faces a lot of competition these days, not just from other sports but from computers and the growing number of television stations. There are so many more options available for kids, and as cricketers we must never forget our responsibility to make sure our sport remains attractive.

© Text and images
Shane Warne 2006

• Extracted from Shane Warne: My Illustrated Career, to be published by Cassell Illustrated on September 14 at £20
• Available to pre-order through Times Books First for £18 (including p&p) by phone on 0870 160 8080 or online at:
  timesonline.co.uk/booksfirst