CRICKETING icon Shane Warne has died at the age of 52.
The greatest leg-spinner of all time passed away in Koh Samui, Thailand, of a suspected heart attack, as confirmed by his management company who released a brief statement.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement reads.
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
He was named as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century, claimed 708 Test wickets in a 15-year career between 1992 and 2007, and was also a World Cup winner with Australia in 1999.
Only fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has more test wickets than Warne who announced himself to the world with the ‘Ball of the Century’ to England’s Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes.
Cricketers across the world have spoken of their shock at the passing of a giant of the sport.
Former team-mate Adam Gilchrist simply posted this:
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 4, 2022
Legendary West Indian Sir Viv Richards summed up the shock of many today with this:
Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true…
Rest In Peace, @ShaneWarne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket. pic.twitter.com/uZdEdNz0x9
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) March 4, 2022
In addition to his international career, Warne spent a season playing for Hampshire in the County Championship. The club posted this:
We are devastated to hear the news that former Hampshire Cricket captain and legend Shane Warne has passed away.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
One of the greatest. Rest in peace, Shane. pic.twitter.com/DJmenkchDk
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) March 4, 2022
