Australian legend Shane Warne dies, aged 52
Warne died after a suspected heart attack, according to a statement from his management team and initially reported by Fox Cricket.
“It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” a statement from his management company MPC Entertainment read.
"Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived.
"The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course."
Thai Police said Warne and three other friends were staying in a private villa and one of them went to inquire about him after the former cricketer did not turn up for dinner, according to Reuters.
Warne represented Australia in 145 Test matches and 194 ODIs, and was the Player of the Match in the semi-final and the final of Australia's victorious 1999 World Cup campaign. He picked up 708 wickets in Test matches – the second-highest after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan – and 293 in ODIs to take 1001 international wickets.
Warne made his international debut against India in 1992 in Sydney, and called time on his career 2007 after completing a 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes at the same venue. After the end of his playing career, Warne took up commentary and coaching roles.
Tributes have poured in for the Australian great and ICC Hall of Fame inductee, from former teammates, colleagues, opponents and millions of fans.
In an ICC statement, Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed shock and sadness at Warne’s passing, with his impact on and off the field remembered for generations to come.
“I was stunned to hear the news of Shane’s passing. He was a true legend of the game, who changed the landscape of cricket by reviving the art of leg-spin.
"His larger-than-life personality, extraordinary skill and immense cricketing intellect ensured fans were glued to their seats whenever he was involved in a game.
“His contribution off the field was also remarkable, where he shared his time and experiences so generously with young players, especially up and coming leg-spinners."
Adam Gilchrist, who enjoyed much of Warne's bowling exploits at the other end as Australia's wicket-keeper, felt "numb" upon hearing the news.
"The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie.
"(I) have often felt a tad selfish, that Heals and I pretty much exclusively are the only ones who had that thrill and pleasure at Test level."
It wouldn't be a stretch to see that Warne reinvigorated the art of spin, captivating the world with his feel for what is regarded as one of the most difficult cricketing crafts.
In the the 20 years before Shane's Test debut, just 176 listed spin bowlers bowled an over in the game's longest format. In the 15 years after his retirement, 259 bowlers have already done the same.
The game of cricket will forever be richer for Warne's impact.
