MELBOURNE: Spin king Shane Warne, the greatest wicket-taker in cricketing history, announced his retirement from international and Australian competition Thursday in a decision that has stunned the sport.Saying he wanted to go out on top, the 37-year-old Australian revealed the final two Ashes Tests against England will be his last Test appearances, an upbeat Warne told a packed media conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Warne said he had initially considered retirement after the 2005 Ashes but decided to press on after Australia suffered a shock series loss to England, setting him on "a mission to get that urn back".
The goal was accomplished in emphatic fashion last week when Australia took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series and Warne said he could now retire happy, even though his remarkable bowling prowess remains intact.
"It's about knowing the right time and I like to go out on top," he said.
He said he was pleased to have the chance to take his 700th Test wicket before his adoring hometown crowd in the Melbourne Cricket Ground then finish his career in Sydney, where he made his debut against India in January 1992.
More of Australia's victorious Test team are also expected pull up stumps next year, with fast bowler Glenn McGrath tipped to announce his imminent retirement soon, while batsmen Damien Martyn quit suddenly just before the third Ashes Test.
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