On This Day In 1993: Shane Warne Stuns Cricket World With 'Ball Of The Century'

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On this day in 1993: Shane Warne bowled the "ball of the century" to dismiss Mike Gatting in the Ashes, marking a turning point in his career.
On This Day In 1993: Spin wizard Shane Warne 's legendary career was glittered with some of the most awe-inspiring moments on the field. From his mesmerising leg-spinners to the straight-going flippers, Warne brought many tricks to the fore and left many batters perplexed during his heyday. But the moment that came to define him was reserved for England stalwart Mike Gatting on this day in 1993.
Playing his first ever Ashes, the then 23-year-old Warne unfurled perhaps the greatest trick up his sleeve, the delivery that later came to be known as the 'ball of the century'. Less than a year after an unimpressive initiation in Test cricket, Warne turned his fortunes and became an overnight sensation with a leg-spinner that made even the experienced Gatting look clueless for how sharply it went past his outside edge.
The dream delivery from the magician came in the first innings on Day 2 in the Manchester Test, carrying the most perfect revs, drift, dip and vicious turn. The ball from over-the-wicket deviated a long way after pitching leg-stump and rushed past Gatting's outside edge to hit the top of his off-stump.
The moment the bails were dislodged, Warne roared amidst a jam-packed Old Trafford crowd while Gatting stood still in disbelief, unable to truly grasp what had happened.
Warne's Gatting dismissal made waves and kicked off his love affair with English soil where he dismantled the hosts many times in Ashes contests during his career. The charismatic cricketer bagged the 'Player of the Match' award in his very first away Ashes Test with figures of 4/51 and 4/86 in Australia's massive win.
Warne went on to take a glorious 708 Test wickets, the second highest by a spinner in Tests, including a stellar 129 scalps in England at an average of 21.94 with 8 five-wicket hauls.
On the 28th anniversary of the famous ball of the century, Warne had hailed it as a moment that changed his life and pulled Gatting's leg, saying Thank you for missing it completely.
'This day changed my life 28 years ago (1993). I was just 23 years old and playing in my first ever #ashes series & this was my first ball. Still can't believe it happened. Thanks for missing it Mr Gatting & making this ball become what is now known as the #ballofthecentury hahaha," the legend wrote in an Instagram post back in 2021.
First Published:
June 04, 2025, 07:10 IST