Shane Warne is an internationally-renowned cricketer famed as much for his antics off the field as for his high-speed legspin bowling.

The Australian sportsman retired from international cricket in January 2007 but will continue to play for Hampshire for the next two years.

Fans will remember his achievements including swatting more runs than any other Test player without making 100 and becoming the first bowler to take 700 test wickets.

His performance in the 2005 Ashes earned him a BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year Award and he was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from Southampton Solent University for services to cricket.

The spin king' may have been hailed the most successful bowler in the history of test cricket but his performance has been dogged by controversy.

The father-of-three was banned from playing for 12 months after testing positive for banned substances and has been plagued by bad press involving alleged marital infidelities.

After becoming embroiled in a series of scandals involving other women, the spin king' split from Simone, his wife of ten years, last year. The pair reportedly rekindled their relationship this April.

Warne's colourful career and personal life ensure he is loved and hated in equal measure.

Name: Shane Warne Occupation: Cricketer Date of Birth: 13 September 1969 Local link: Hampshire cricket captain with a home in Southampton's Ocean Village