Warne, in his column for 'The Times', announced the first batch of cricketers he ranked from 41-50, which had Shastri at 42 and Vengsarkar at 46.
LONDON: Former Test players Ravi Shastri and Dilip Vengsarkar found glorious mention as retired Australian leggie Shane Warne on Tuesdya announced the first installment of his list of 50 great players.
Warne, in his column for 'The Times', announced the first batch of cricketers he ranked from 41-50, which had Shastri at 42 and Vengsarkar at 46.
Warne paid glowing tribute to Vengsarkar, currently the chief selector, and said, "The India side were starting to change in my early days with Australia, but Vengsarkar remained a very stylish, elegant batsman.
"In our dressing-room, he was held in the highest regard by those who saw him at his best in the Eighties. I've taken into account his record all over the world, including three hundreds at Lord's," Warne said.
He was also generous in his praise for Shastri, who incidentally had soured Warne's debut with a double hundred in the 1992 Sydney Test.
Shastri was out for 206 caught by Dean Jones off the spinner but not before he had subjected Warne to some harsh treatment.
Warne admitted that he was not sure of getting a second chance after the nightmarish debut.
"Test cricket seemed impossibly hard when Ravi was belting a double hundred on my debut for Australia. By the time I had him caught at deep cover, which tells its own story I didn't know where my second game would come from," Warne said.
"He was a very effective player and a handy spin bowler for a captain to have up his sleeve," he said.
Warne had former teammate Justin Langer at 41 and he said it was a recognition for "Alfie" who inspired youngsters everywhere.
Gutsy Englishman Michael Atherton occupied the 43rd slot, followed by teammate Alec Stewart, who was hailed for his versatility.
Pakistani 'Sultan of Reverse Swing' Waqar Younis was ranked 45, just ahead of Vengsarkar.
New Zealander Chris Cairns is 47th and Warne felt at one stage, the debonair Kiwi was probably the best all-rounder in the world, despite his injury woes.
At 48 is the retired South African Brian McMillan.
"For a big fellow, he did not hit the ball as hard as you would expect, but he could be a sharp bowler and a wonderful slip fielder," Warne said off the burly South African.
The leggie, however, sprang a surprise of sort as he named two Victorians, Darren Berry (49) and Jamie Siddons (50) for the next two spots with none of them having played Test cricket.
Warne, who forged a brilliant on-field chemistry with star stumper Adam Gilchrist during his days in the Australian team, described Berry as the "purest wicketkeeper I have seen".
"The ball sounded extra-soft in his gloves. His catching was so reliable that first slip could stand wider and the cordon covered more ground," he said.
Siddons too came in for rich praise from the leggie.
"As an all-round fielder, with a rocket arm, I rank him second behind Mark Waugh among Australians I have seen. He is recognised as one of our best batsmen not to have played Test cricket," Warne added.
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