Shane Warne's Ball of the Century: Gatting's Dismissal Explained
Shane Warne's first ball in Ashes cricket in 1993 dismissed Mike Gatting with a leg-break that turned 60cm. The 'Ball of the Century' announced Warne as a generational talent and revived leg-spin bowling.
On 4 June 1993 at Old Trafford, 23-year-old Shane Warne bowled his first ball in Ashes cricket. The leg-break pitched well outside the leg stump, drifted in the air, and then turned viciously to hit the top of Mike Gatting's off stump. The 'Ball of the Century' was born.
The Ball Itself
Warne's delivery to Gatting was extraordinary in its execution. It pitched on a good length outside leg stump, meaning Gatting played the ball with his bat in front of his pad — the standard defensive technique. But the ball deviated approximately 60cm off the pitch, sneaking behind Gatting's bat to clip the off stump.
Gatting's Reaction
Mike Gatting stood for a moment in disbelief before turning to look at his shattered stumps, seemingly unable to comprehend what had just happened. His expression captured the moment perfectly — this was something cricket had never quite seen before.
The Revival of Leg-Spin
The 'Ball of the Century' had a profound effect on cricket globally. Leg-spin bowling had fallen out of fashion in Test cricket, with most teams preferring seam bowling. Warne's emergence sparked a global revival of the art, inspiring a generation of leg-spinners in India, Pakistan, and Australia.
Warne's Ashes Legacy
Warne went on to take 195 Ashes wickets — the most by any Australian in the series — and to be central to Australia winning the Ashes five consecutive times between 1989 and 2003. He finished his Test career with 708 wickets.
Frequently asked questions
What was the Ball of the Century?
Shane Warne's first ball in Ashes cricket in 1993, which bowled Mike Gatting by turning approximately 60cm from outside leg stump to hit the off stump. It is considered the greatest delivery in cricket history.
Where was the Ball of the Century bowled?
At Old Trafford in Manchester during the first Test of the 1993 Ashes series, on 4 June 1993.