Alsager Cricket Club's chairman and treasurer, Alan Stancliffe, has paid tribute to Australian cricketer, Shane Warne whose death sadly was announced along with that of fellow Australian cricketer, Rod Marsh.

"Like the whole of our cricketing family we are mourning the loss of a great cricketer and character within the game," said Alan.

"He was an individual who made people want to play and watch cricket making it exciting and interesting.

"He was able to do things with the ball which other cricketers could only dream about.

"Every ball he bowled was an adventure and his leg spin bowling still inspires cricketers to emulate him.

"At Alsager CC, we have four cricketers who bowl leg spin inspired by Warney. Khalid Jamal, Andrew Eardley and juniors Charlie Padania and Charlie Cooper all have watched the master in action and try to bowl in a style resembling the king of spin.

"Warney also encapsulated the spirit of cricket which is so important for all participants.

"Having fun on the field and socialising with the opposition with maybe a beer or two is part and parcel of the game, making it such a perfect pastime in our long summers.

"The great man has passed but his legacy will remain with all club cricketers who play the game at our cricket clubs throughout Cheshire and Staffordshire.

"As a Clubmark cricket club we would love to attract new cricketers and spectators to our ground to enjoy our beautiful game and perhaps you may even see a perfect googly similar to Warney's deliveries, delivered by one of our promising young cricketers.

"Hopefully we will see you down at our Wilbrahams Way ground during another long, hot summer."

(Picture courtesy of Tourism Victoria) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shane_Warne_February_2015.jpg