Legendary England [Images] all-rounder Ian Botham believes Shane Warne [Images] is the greatest player to have set foot on a cricket field.

"In my opinion Shane Warne is the greatest cricketer who's ever lived," Botham said.

Warne, who announced his retirement after Australia reclaimed the Ashes from England taking a 3-0 lead in the five-Test series, is being described as the second greatest cricketer of all time behind Sir Donald Bradman, but Botham said the spin-wizard deserves the highest accolade.

"I'm sorry, but I can't judge people who played 30 or 40 years before I was born because I think you can only really comment on what you've seen first hand.

"And of the players I've seen, Warnie is out on his own," Botham was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.

Botham appreciated Warne for signing off in style when he is still on the top of his career.

"Just like the showman he is, with the job done, the stage set and the applause raining down he is making his exit and all I can say is well done mate," he said.

"He made the difficult choice once the Ashes were won and I think that is absolutely right. He has given cricket and Ashes cricket in particular everything he could have and he is going out on top, as he deserves," he added.