Shane Warne Remembered In Tributes Following His Death Aged 52
The sports world is in mourning following the death of legendary former cricketer Shane Warne at the age of 52.
On Friday, Shane’s management team announced the news of his death following a suspected heart attack at his villa in Thailand.
They confirmed: “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.”
Since the news broke, his peers from the cricket world have been paying their respects on social media, hailing the late record-breaking player as a “hero”, “absolute legend” and “champion of our game”
FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????#RIPKing ????????????????????????????????
— Kevin Pietersen???? (@KP24) March 4, 2022
There are no words. A hero growing up and the greatest player I ever played against. I can’t believe it.
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 4, 2022
My thoughts are with his loved ones. https://t.co/NEN2VwbUtJ
Two legends of our game have left us too soon. I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just can not believe it. #rip, you will both be missed https://t.co/gduLY9bIwg
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 4, 2022
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— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 4, 2022
I’m truly lost for words here, this is extremely sad. An absolute legend and champion of our game has left us. RIP Shane Warne….still can’t believe it
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) March 4, 2022
Shocked to hear about Shane Warne's departure. Shared some wonderful years with him during the start of my career. Rest in peace, legend!
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) March 4, 2022
Shocked beyond words. A legend of our game, an icon, and someone who revolutionised spin bowling. RIP Shane Warne. pic.twitter.com/4rjArGHpSp
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) March 4, 2022
At loss of words to hear about the demise of our cricketing legend Shane Warne, he was always magical on the field. May peace be with you. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. #ShaneWarne ????
— Suresh Raina???????? (@ImRaina) March 4, 2022
Can’t believe this! Sad and shocked that The spin wizard is no more. You will be greatly missed.condolences to the family and loved ones. RIP legend #shanewarne ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/fgagx69b8K
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) March 4, 2022
Can’t believe I’m typing this... Rest In Peace. There will never ever be another #ShaneWarne ???? pic.twitter.com/KxzGDqBDbl
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) March 4, 2022
"Whenever he came to the wicket, change came over the game of Cricket"
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 4, 2022
My mind just cannot accept that Shane Warne is no more. Gone too soon.. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends..RIP Warnie ???????? pic.twitter.com/YgfvY1WaS0
Terribly saddened and shocked to hear the news that Shane Warne has passed away. The greatest spin bowler of all time. RIP ????
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) March 4, 2022
Lost for words. RIP Shane Warne. One of the greats of the game. Absolutely shocking news. Condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/zEWP0tKSII
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) March 4, 2022
Other public figures – including fellow sportsmen and Australian celebrities – have also shared tributes:
Vale Warney ???? Condolences to his family, friends and fans. The one and only King of Spin, #ShaneWarne
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) March 4, 2022
Terribly saddened and shocked to hear the news that Shane Warne has died. The greatest spin bowler of all time. Can’t quite believe it. RIP Shane
— Gary Lineker ???????? (@GaryLineker) March 4, 2022
I am so sad to hear about Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, two legends of cricket and sport, who have been taken from us too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with both their families. Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/gcBoKx2okm
— Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) March 4, 2022
Absolutely devastated to hear that @ShaneWarne has died from a heart attack aged just 52.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 4, 2022
He was a genius cricketer, a supreme entertainer, a fantastic bloke and a great loyal friend for many years.
Just gutting news.
RIP Warnie, I loved every minute in your company. pic.twitter.com/RCUGuTU4Gm
Struggling to get my head around Shane Warne passing.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) March 4, 2022
The definition of a guy who lived life fully and exuded infectious enthusiasm.
Sending best wishes to his friends, particularly @DGoughie who I know he was close friends with. pic.twitter.com/ec20MAPAvN
A very sad week for cricket.
— Madeleine King MP (@MadeleineMHKing) March 4, 2022
Rodney Marsh.
Shane Warne.
Legends of the game and sadly we will not hear from them again. But legends always live on.
I ❤️ ????
Dammit Warney https://t.co/3DaTyHP6Dy
Shane, who began his professional cricket career in the early 90s, went on to be considered one of the greats of the sport, and is credited with “reviving the art of leg-spin”.
Over the course of his career, he set the record for most Test wickets taken by any bowler with 708, though this was later bested by fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in 2007.
At the 1999 cricket World Cup, Shane was the joint-leading wicket-taker as Australia won the tournament, and finished with 293 one-day dismissals in 194 matches.
He ended his international cricket career in 2007, before retiring from cricket completely in 2013, the same year he was inducted into the International Cricket Council’s Cricket Hall Of Fame.
Following his retirement, he worked as a cricket commentator in both Australia and the UK, as well as briefly serving as a guest captain on the BBC panel show A Question Of Sport.
Shane was embroiled in several scandals during his time as a professional sportsman, including a one-year ban from organised cricket after he tested positive for banned diuretic.
Outside of the cricket world, he briefly presented his own chat show, Warnie, in his native Australia, and portrayed a Shane Warne impersonator in the cult sitcom Kath & Kim in 2007.
He also appeared on the Australian version of the reality show I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016.