Legspin legend Shane Warne‘s stated ambition in life was to score a Test match century. He hit 12 fifties, including two 86s, a 90 and even a 99, but it was not to be.

Ramachandra Guha recounts a delightful anecdote in The Hindu magazine today when Anil Kumble achieved what Warne always wanted to but never could. An anecdote that underlines the competitive nature of the champion bowler:

“At a Test match at Lord’s earlier this year, Anil Kumble came in late in the order and, with his side comfortably in control, started playing his shots from the word go. He soon got to 40, then 60, then 70.

“At this stage, Ian Chappell, sitting in the commentary box, sent a text message to Warne with the news.

“A panic reply came back: “Tell Chris [Tremlett, the fast bowler who was Warne’s team-mate at Hampshire] to bounce him. He can’t take short-pitched stuff”. Either the message was not passed on, or Tremlett was too tired anyway.

“When Kumble reached his century, Chappell sent Warne a consolatory SMS. It was not answered.”

Read the full article: Justice delayed, not denied