Shane Warne spun a web around Daryll Cullinan that reduced the South African batsman to a nervous wreck.

The legendary Australian spinner passed away on Friday, aged 52, after suffering a suspected heart attack.

In Warne’s autobiography published in 2001, he dedicated over a page to his relationship with Cullinan.

“Cricket isn’t an easy game, but it is a great leveller sometimes. Fortunately, I have learnt it is far more effective to make the odd comment here and there to maintain a continual flow,” said Warne.

“Certain batsmen are vulnerable — Daryll Cullinan more than most. We have had a lot of success against him before the South Africans toured in 1997-98.

“Just before the start of the series there was a double-page feature in an Australian newspaper in which he revealed how he had seen a psychiatrist to help him overcome Shane Warne and the Aussies.

“I couldn’t believe it. I knew Daryll was a bit fragile at times, but never imagined he would go to a shrink to learn how to read a googly.

“The first Test at Melbourne finally dawned. Adam Bacher fell to a fine slip catch by Mark Taylor and my old mate walked out gingerly.

“I let him take guard before saying, ‘Daryll, I’ve waited so long for this moment and I’m going to send you straight back to that leather couch.’

A couple balls later I bowled him for a duck. He was more embarrassed than anything else, but those words had clearly unsettled him, and he didn’t take any further part in the Test series.”

Years later, Warne ‘apologised’ to Cullinan while appearing on ‘The Dan Nicholl Show’ in South Africa.