When Shane Warne’s ‘womaniser’ reputation made England all-rounder Adam Hollioake’s Test debut difficult

Shane Warne is arguably the greatest spinner to have ever graced the game, and his record across formats speaks volumes of his prowess. The former Australian cricketer could make the ball spin regardless of the conditions, and his vicious deliveries have tormented many prominent batters. Apart from his heroics on the field, however, Warne’s illustrious career was also marred with numerous controversies. The spinner also had a reputation of being a ‘ladies man,’ and he hogged the headlines for the same on several occasions.

From having extra-marital affairs to his sex scandal, Warne came under the scanner for many such infamous episodes. In fact, his image of a ‘womanizer’ also made former England all-rounder Adam Hollioake’s Test debut difficult. Hollioake was born in Australia but represented Three Lions in international cricket. He made his Test debut in the fifth match of the 1997 Ashes in Nottingham.

Recalling his maiden appearance in England whites, Hollioake recalled Australian fielders dragged his relatives into their sledging and this made him think if Warne has been with his Aunt. “I came out and I’m thinking it’s my first Test, I know I’m going to get it (sledging), I just had a really good performance against them in the one-dayers so I know they’re going to be out for me,” Hollioake  said while featuring on The Grade Cricketer podcast.

Adam Hollioake recalls his Test debut

“(They said) ‘Here he is playing his first game for England, all his family back in Australia wishing he was playing for Australia — Uncle Rex. Then they said ‘Aunty Jan’. I was like, ‘How the hell do you guys know Aunty Jan?’ They’d gone away and found out the names of all my relatives,” he recalled.

Connecting the dots, Hollioake couldn’t help but think Warne had something to do with her aunt. “All I can go to in my mind is, I knew Warnie was a bit of a womaniser at the time, I was like, ‘Has Warnie been with my Aunty Jan? I’m just trying to solve the puzzle, has Warnie been around to see my Aunty Jan” Hollioake added.

Meanwhile, the all-rounder’s maiden Test appearance was decent as he scored 45 off 94 balls. The right-arm pacer also went on to take a couple of wickets. However, his efforts didn’t help England much as Australia walked away with a 264 run triumph. In total, Hollioake played four Tests and 35 ODIs between 1997 and 1999.