Legendary Australian diver Shane Warne, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 52.
Warne has won 708 wickets trials, the second most of all time, in 145 matches during a stellar international career spanning 15 years.
His management company said he was found unresponsive in his villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Shane Keith Warne has passed away from a suspected heart attack,” it added.
“Despite the medical staff’s best efforts, he was still unable to revive.
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide more details in due course.”
Warne helped Australia win the 1999 World Cup more than 50 times and claimed 293 dismissals in 194 international appearances in a single day between 1993 and 2005.
In 2000, he was named one of the five Wisden cricketers of the century, along with Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Viv Richards.
He retired from international cricket in 2007 after Australia beat England 5-0 Ashes at home.
Warne also took a break from first- and A-tier cricket later that year, ending a five-year stint with Hampshire, whom he had captained since 2004.
He continued to play Twenty20 cricket franchise until his retirement in all formats in 2013.
Warne regularly works as a commentator and expert, as well as in coaching roles at the T20 brands.
He survived his three children with ex-wife Simone Callahan.
His death came on the same day as the legend former Australian track and field athlete Rod Marsh, who passed away at the age of 74 from a heart attack, and was announced shortly after the match ended on the first day of Australia’s first Competition in Pakistan.
Warne’s expert footwork – a style of bowling that declined in the 1970s and 1980s when fast bowlers prevailed – revolutionized cricket.
His superb control and dangerous variations left even the greatest boxers of his generation bewildered.
Only Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s unscrupulous giant, with 800 dismissals, has more test scores than Warne.
He’s also a prolific and low-ball hitter, scoring 3,154 runs at an average of 17.32 and is the only batter in Test history to pass 3,000 runs without a hitch. not over a century – falling to 99 twice, against New Zealand in 2001 and against England in 2005.
Warne is a larger-than-life figure whose reputation transcends even cricket and his sense of fun has inspired successive generations of fans.
“Shane was the cricketer of the last century and his track record will endure for all time,” said Australia Men’s Team captain Pat Cummins.
“So many of us in the playgroup grew up idolizing him and as a result fell in love with this great sport.”
Nick Hockley, chief executive officer of Cricket Australia added: “Shane is one of the most talented and charismatic cricketers we have ever seen.
“He loves cricket, has an extremely astute understanding of the game and his influence and legacy will last until it is played.
“We are in complete shock at his sudden passing and our thoughts are with his family, many friends and countless fans from around the world. people who have come to love and admire Warnie for his incredible bowling skills, humour, warmth, and engaging personality.”
Domination of ash
Warne holds the record for having the most Ashes in history, with 195 fired in 36 checks.
He made his debut against India in 1992 after just seven first-place matches for his native Victoria, but showed himself on the world stage with astonishing style at the 1993 Ashes in England.
With the first ball of the series, Warne beat England’s Mike Gatting with a stunning serve that threw the ball outside the tree and cut off the stump.
It is widely known as the ‘ball of the century’.
It was the first of Ashes’ six straight wins to feature Warne, until the run ended in England’s famous 2-1 victory in 2005, although the athlete foot spin earned an incredible 40 points in that streak.
Warne got his revenge in 2006-07 when Australia won 5-0 and retired the same day as longtime teammates Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer.
World Cup and domestic titles
Warne was instrumental in helping Australia reach the 1996 World Cup final, where they were defeated by Sri Lanka.
He became vice-captain under Steve Waugh and featured in the 1999 World Cup victory, being named man of the match after leading 4–33 in the final against Pakistan.
However, he was sent home the day before the 2003 tournament began after testing positive for a banned diuretic and was banned for a year.
Australia will win the 2003 World Cup by beating India.
Warne has led Australia 11 times in the ODIs but has never captained the Test team, with hitman Ricky Ponting replacing Waugh.
Warne was Hampshire’s captain for four seasons during his time with the county from 2000 to 2007, and they named a stand after him at their Ageas Bowl in 2012.
Under Warne’s leadership, Hampshire won the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy one day in 2005 – although he failed to play in the Lord’s final midway through the 2005 Ashes – and almost dropped out. missed the County Championship the same year.
He played his entire domestic career in Australia for Victoria.
He has also played for the Melbourne Stars in the Australian Big Bash and the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, also coaching the latter.
During the inaugural Hundred last year, he coached London Spirit.
‘One of the great characters of cricket’
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew
Shane Warne is not only one of the greatest archers in the history of the game – he is also one of the greats of cricket.
His partnership with seafarer Glenn McGrath made Australia nearly unbeatable in the 1990s.
In terms of the performance of a wrist camera, Warne has perfected the art, spinning the ball at great distances and always giving off a theater-like feel.
He brought that character into the comment box and beyond to cricket. He is a regular on the world poker scene, and while matches with the authorities are also a feature of his life, his contributions to cricket will never be overlooked. oblivion.
‘He’s the greatest performer’ – tributes to Warne
Former England captain Sir Andrew Strauss told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m really shocked and saddened. Shane Warne is cricket’s greatest star and he’s a guy who, I suppose, you feel the rules of life don’t apply to him. Listen The news of his untimely death is truly shocking and I know the whole cricket world is in a state of profound mourning.”
Strauss added: “He’s the greatest performer. There are other great cricketers when you look at their records that are on par with Shane or maybe better. But no star. What greater cricket than Shane Warne, certainly in the time I’ve been around. You feel every time you stand on the field against him, it’s his performance. You’re just a small part of the show. his performance.
“He used that to his advantage when he put you on the pitch. He had such a charisma and passion for the game that it was contagious. If you’re lucky enough to spend time with him outside it’s always been a privilege. A man of generous spirit, great passion for the game and a man who will be greatly missed.”
England captain Joe Root: “Really shocked and really sad to hear such a legend of the game passing so suddenly.
“We just started the game and it filtered through the dressing room. It was a pretty quiet dressing room.
“My experiences of Shane are of someone who absolutely loves the game of cricket. He was always a joy to be around, he gave so much energy to the sport. As a child, he he’s a huge idol of mine and someone you want to emulate.The way he can win a game on his own, his skill level is amazing.
“I was 14 years old when 2005’s The Ashes aired, and in many ways that series has had a huge impact on my career.”
