NDTV

Melbourne, Dec 21: Australian leg spinner Shane Warne on Thursday announced retirement from international cricket.

Addressing a press conference in Melbourne, the man with 699 Test wickets said he would retire after the fifth Ashes Test that is to be played in Sydney from January 2 to 6.

"I'm going to announce my retirement from international cricket, domestic cricket, Victoria and Saint Kilda as well. It's been unbelievable, my journey and my ride in international cricket has been phenomenal. I feel a very happy man today," said Warne

Warne will continue to play for his county side Hampshire, with whom he has a two-year contract.

The leggie said he would have retired in 2005, but did not do so after Australia lost the Ashes. The bowler added that it would be nice to win the Ashes 5-0.

Warne also acknowledged that Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar were the two best batsmen of his time, while also adding that Ian Chappell had “a great influence on me”.

His biggest regret though remains not winning the 1996 World Cup.

The 37-year-old said his decision would allow him to spend more time with his kids.

Tributes pour in

Tributes have already started pouring in for Warne.

Former Australian captain Kim Hughes has given Warne the ultimate compliment by comparing him to Bradman. He said, "We've been lucky to have two geniuses, one was Bradman and the other is Warne."

Current Australia selector, Merv Hughes said, "You see kids all the time with dyed hair wanting to bowl spin. Unlike others Warne has had a purple patch for 15 of his 16 years of international cricket."

Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and the man likely to wrest away Warne's record of most Test wickets said in New Zealand, where his team is playing, "I have been watching the Ashes, he has bowled beautifully. I have always said that whichever one of us played the longest would get the record."

Allan Donald, the former South African great said, "When Warne was not playing it was a great relief, we would think that we could actually win. Many batsmen will be saying thank god he's retiring."

Former Indian spin legend Bishen Singh Bedi was also full of praise. He said warne has been the best thing that happened to spin bowling. But Bedi also had a dig at Muralitharan saying that no legitimate bowler will ever manage taking 700 Test wickets.