Warne wins overseas personality

Shane Warne has been announced as the BBC’s overseas sports personality of the year following his performance in the Ashes in which he bagged 40 wickets, and his efforts to become the world’s highest test wicket taker with 645 victims.

“Shane Warne has entertained cricket fans for years with his outstanding talent and contributed enormously to a thrilling Ashes series,” said the BBC’s programme editor Philip Bernie.

“His extraordinary achievements on the field, combined with his charismatic personality have made him a true sporting superstar, and an extremely worthy winner of this award.”

Warne beat rivals Lance Armstrong, six-time Tour de France winner, Roger Federer, the highest ranked tennis player in the world, and Fernando Alonso, the youngest ever Formula One world champion, to claim to accolade.

“I am very proud of this achievement and am delighted to receive this award,” Warne told BBC sport.

Richie Benaud, the former Australian leg-spinner will present Warne with the award on Sunday’s program.