'The finest legspinner the world has ever seen'

Richie Benaud
"Shane Warne is without doubt the finest legspinner the world has ever seen. You would certainly have Warne right up there as one of the greatest Australians to ever step on the field."

Adam Gilchrist
"What he's done for the game, the colour he's added, the character that he's brought to the game, he's going to be tough to replace."

Steve Waugh
"It's very hard to judge across eras but Warne would sit pretty comfortably as the second best player ever. He has been responsible for winning more Test matches than anyone else I have seen or played with."

Allan Border
"Bradman - it's hard to make comparison with that guy's record, but on the next level of cricketers, Warne is right there. He's been a breath of fresh air, what he's brought to the game is immeasurable."

John Buchanan
"Looking at the future, that will now be a huge void that will take maybe generations to fill."

Terry Jenner
"He just has that capacity, unlike any other wrist spinner we've seen, to put the ball in the danger area ball after ball after ball. His special talent has been to spin the ball and at the same time be accurate."

Jason Gillespie
"I think he'd be just about the best player that's ever played cricket."

Anil Kumble
"If there is one thing he has that I would love to have, it is the ability to spin the ball the way he does. Warney has been very open about what he thinks and how he bowls. I am very happy to have played with him and competed with him. I have learnt a lot from him, not just by talking to him but by watching the way he bowls." Click here
to read the full tribute from Kumble.

Merv Hughes
"Whatever you say about Shane Warne it isn't enough. His performances have not only shaped cricket in Australia but worldwide. Most people go through a purple patch and Shane Warne has had a purple patch for 15 or 16 years."

David Boon
"I think he's had the greatest influence on the game of cricket outside of Sir Donald Bradman. I can only laud at the highest level what Shane has contributed to the game, not only worldwide but in Australia as well."

Mark Taylor
"Not only is he a great bowler but he's also a great thinker. He got a lot of people out with wonderful deliveries but also out-thought a lot."

Ian Chappell
"I think it's perfect timing for a champion player. If you make a mistake it's best to get out a little early than a little late."

John Howard, Australia's prime minister "I thank him for the massive contribution he's made to Australian cricket. He's made a huge contribution to both maintaining and further stimulating interest in cricket in this and many other countries and I wish him well."

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive
"There are a generation of Australians who were privileged enough to see Bradman. We are the generation that will always say we were privileged to see Warne."

Geoff Lawson
"I thought he might still have another three, four years left in the game and in fact I've lost a lot of money because I backed him to take 1000 Test wickets and it's not going to happen now."

Mike Gatting on that ball
"I suppose I can say that 'I was there' at the moment he first indicated his potential to the wider world. There or thereabouts, anyway. Thanks to him, there are many more leg-spinners in the game. We may not see his like again."

Richard Hadlee
"A lot of batsmen in world cricket will be delighted to learn he's leaving the game but I think the game will be poorer without him. He has been a matchwinner, flamboyant and just incredible to watch."