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Spinner Warne turns designer

Last updated on: May 20, 2011 08:56 IST
Shane Warne with Liz Hurley

Spinners by Shane Warne, the lifestyle collection of menswear, boyswear, innerwear, socks and sports performance wear designed by the cricketing legend, was launched by the Australian spin legend in Mumbai, on Thursday.

The line, earlier launched in Australia in November 2009 in partnership between Warne and Lime Door brands -- a strategic brand development company in Australia -- has been brought to India by Reliance Trends, its retail partner in India.

Warne on Thursday lavished praise on his long-time tormentor Sachin Tendulkar, declaring the iconic Indian batsman as the greatest cricketer he ever played against.

The Rajasthan Royals skipper, who will play his last Indian Premier League match against the Mumbai Indians on Friday, said it is only appropriate to end his IPL stint as a player against Tendulkar.

"Sachin is the greatest player I have played against. It's appropriate that my last game is versus Sachin," Warne said.

Photographs: Arun Patil

Indian influence inspires Spinners

Last updated on: May 20, 2011 08:56 IST
Rahul Dravid (right) with Shane Warne (left) and Liz Hurley

Spinners by Warne also has a collection with an Indian influence.

One of the T-shirts has graphics of "gully cricket", capturing the cricket passion in India where the game is played in every bylane, said Arun Sirdeshmukh, CEO of Reliance Trends.

Warne was fined a hefty US $50,000 following his public spat with Rajasthan Cricket Association secretary Sanjay Dixit, and the the 41-year-old Australian said he fails to understand why the RCA secretary too was not penalized.

"Unfair that I get fined while Sanjay Dixit gets away with saying whatever he feels like," Warne told NDTV in an interview.

"My fight with Dixit was immature on both our parts," he added.

Warne's son helped with designing

Last updated on: May 20, 2011 08:56 IST
Shane Warne, Liz Hurley with Shane Watson and a friend

Warne said he was intricately involved in the designing and did not simply endorse the brand. In fact, his son also joined him when it came to designing the boys' wear.

Plans are also afoot to launch a women's and girls' range.

The United Kingdom is the next market on the brands' global expansion plan.