Warne in wonderland as England humbled

SHANE WARNE was carried off the field on the shoulders of his team-mates yesterday after the incomparable star helped Australia inflict another soul-destroying Ashes defeat on England.

Test cricket’s all-time leading wicket-taker claimed two more as England capitulated to an innings and 99 run defeat, handing the Australians a 4-0 series lead heading into next Tuesday’s fifth and final Sydney Test.

Warne, who has now taken 706 career wickets, will retire after Sydney — his 145th Test and an emotional match for the 37-year-old Australian superstar, who said he had no regrets after a remarkable career.

Warne said his 5-39 in unhelpful spinning conditions in the first innings on St Stephen’s Day could not have been scripted better, as he savoured playing in his last Test on his Melbourne home ground before huge crowds.

“The overriding factor was that we won,” he said. “That gave me great satisfaction for three days. To land the ball the way I have through the series and to walk off in Melbourne.

“It was nice of Andrew Symonds and Matty Hayden to put me on the shoulders. I was trying to get Pidgeon (Glenn McGrath) but they said we can’t hold two of you, so I jumped down and we walked off together.”

McGrath has also announced that his hometown Sydney Test match will be his 124th and last.

Warne said he revelled in going out on an incredible high after a trailblazing career that revolutionised the art of wrist-spin bowling.

“I’ve got no disappointments from the game whatsoever. I’ve been very lucky to play in a wonderful era of Australian cricket,” he said after the win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“It was just a great time. It was great to have that satisfaction. Good to share it. It’s just been a great summer so far.

“To bowl well and land a couple of flippers and some wrong’uns today, it was really good.

“These sort of moments are something to enjoy. It doesn’t make me sad. I’m leaving on top of my game. I feel like I’m bowling as good as I have in any stage of my career.

“Hopefully 5-0 is a real goal for us now. A whitewash against an excellent cricket side. If I can continue to bowl well and get a few wickets in Sydney, it’ll be great.”

Skipper Ricky Ponting has joked about trying to talk Warne out of his intention to retire but the master leg-spinner said he feels on top of the world, rather than disconsolate, at ending his fabulous career.

“I’m just jumping out of my skin at the moment. I suppose that’s why I’m trying different tricks and all those things. I feel very happy and young and fresh.”

In the meantime, Andrew Flintoff now faces the ignominy of becoming the first English captain in more than 80 years to suffer a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Australia unless his team can produce an incredible form reversal.

Flintoff said the English were determined to finally give their ban of loyal fans — known as the Barmy Army — something to cheer about in Sydney, with the fifth Test starting on January 2.

“It has been a tough trip, it has been a tough three days,” he said.

“I sit here obviously disappointed, upset and most of the emotions which are all negative.

“But we have got one game left ... we’ve come to the final one now and we don’t want to leave this country having been turned over 5-0; we want to win a game of cricket.

“I think the lads can lift themselves, in our dressing room is a great spirit.

“It is still an important game for us, it is important for our team and it is important for a lot of people who are going to be in Sydney as well.

“Myself and the rest of the lads are going to go out there and put a show on.”

The English appeared a dispirited bunch by the end of the fourth Test, but Flintoff said it was an illusion and their pride remained intact. There is a lot of character and a lot of pride, I will reiterate that,” said Flintoff.

“The pride is still there and it is not nice when that is questioned and I’ll stand up for myself and every one of the lads.”

Flintoff said England needed more of its players to perform if they were to upset Australia in Sydney.

The last England skipper to lose a series 5-0 to Australia was Warwick Armstrong back in 1921.

Flintoff was blunt when asked how much he wanted to avoid a 5-0 scoreline.

“I don’t think that question needs to be asked,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone would want to do that.”