Shane Warne lists former Proteas he's befriended

Cape Town - Legendary former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne says he’s remained friends with several of his South African counterparts after retiring from cricket.

Warne spoke exclusively to Jacaranda FM this week where he talked about the release of his new book, No Spin: My Autobiography.

Warne was often a thorn in the side of the Proteas but in the interview he said he had great respect for the South Africans.

"I’m not friends with Daryll Cullinan," Warne quipped. "But I’m great friends with Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Bouch (Mark Boucher), Jonty (Rhodes)... we hang out all the time. I think it was a great era, there was great camaraderie. I love South Africa, I’ve got some wonderful friends there."

Warne’s tongue-in-cheek comment regarding Cullinan was due to the fact that he often troubled the South African batsman.

Warner added that South Africans and Australians are very similar.

"We play the game very similarly and it great... the friendships you make. It’s nice to play and win but it’s more important to have friendships."

The 49-year-old Warne took 708 wickets (average 25.41) in 145 Tests for Australia.

LISTEN to the full interview with Shane Warne on Jacaranda FM