Shane Warne (b. 1969) retired from Test cricket when he was demonstrably the most successful bowler of all time. Warne played his first Test, against India, in Sydney in January 1992, and his last, against England, in Sydney in January 2007. In the interim, he took 708 Test wickets. Over his career (which was suspended in 2003–2004) he did more to secure Australia’s victories than any other single player. Warne was named one of Wisden’s top five cricketers of all time in 2000, fourth on a list topped by Sir Donald Bradman. Like Bradman’s, and Keith Miller’s, Warne’s portrait hangs in the Long Room at Lord’s Cricket Ground, but he is the only cricketer to have been honoured in this way while still playing. Alongside Glenn McGrath, he received the Don Award of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2007. Warne retired from English county cricket with an honorary doctorate in early 2008; in the middle of that year, he captained the Rajasthan Royals to victory in the Indian Premier League. Since, he has played in the World Series of Poker tournament seven times and become a popular television commentator. His autobiography No Spin was published in 2018.
Robin Sellick photographed Shane Warne against the greenery surrounding the tennis court of his Melbourne home.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2006
© Robin Sellick
Accession number: 2006.26
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On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
An interview with photographer Robin Sellick about his portrait of golfing champion Adam Scott.
Robin Sellick captured a rare moment of quietude from the late conservation star Steve Irwin.
Robin Sellick's portraits of Australian sportspeople include Harry Kewell, Adam Scott, Shane Warne, Mark Webber and John Newcombe.
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