Test cricket’s greatest wicket-taker Shane Warne has admitted his off-field antics with a series of women cost him not only his marriage but also a chance to captain Australia.
In a candid interview with The Bulletin magazine, the spin wizard describes himself variously as ”an idiot” and ”a dickhead” for his well-publicised extra-marital sexual escapades, but said there were fewer than most people imagined.
”I’ve had a few one-night or two-night stands or whatever you want to call it … I’ve never fallen in love with anyone,” he said.
”I think everyone out there thinks that there’s been hundreds and thousands of women. That is not actually the case. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to make excuses — but it’s very hard being on the road. It’s very lonely.
”And when you’re lonely and you’re away for six months, things sometimes just happen and then you regret it afterwards and you think, ‘You idiot’.”
Warne said he had paid heavily for his behaviour off the field.
”At the end of the day, it’s cost me probably a chance to captain Australia … my marriage is breaking down, we’re getting a divorce.
”It’s cost me all that and it’s cost me sponsorship. It’s cost me lots of stuff.”
But, he said, he tried not to worry too much about it, adding: ”A lot of people don’t understand. I don’t understand. Maybe I need to see people about it. Maybe, I don’t know.”
Warne continues to live in the same house as his wife Simone — who is reportedly seeking a multimillion-dollar divorce settlement — and their three children.
He said he and Simone were ”still best friends … like brother and sister.”
Warne, who will take to the field again in the Test series against South Africa starting in Cape Town on March 16, said that despite all his losses he still had cricket.
”So, OK, where am I at? I’ve lost that love of my life. What else have I got in my life that I love? My cricket. So I’m not going to lose both. I’ve got to make this a winner.”
Warne said he remained ”pretty strong mentally”, adding: ”The one thing I’m proud of in my life is no matter what has happened, I’ve still been able to front up, play my cricket and still do a pretty good job.”
The spin king, who has sometimes struggled with his weight, said that in preparation for the Test series he had cut out many of his favourite foods — pizza, bread, chips and beer — and had been excercising regularly.
Warne, the leading all-time wicket taker in Test cricket, turns 37 this year but said he had set no date for quitting Test cricket.
”I think I’ll just wake and say, ‘That’s it’. I won’t be one of those people that’ll plan it. It’ll just happen.”’ – Sapa-AFP