Shane Warne dies: Australian leg-spin legend dies of suspected heart attack

Peter LawThe West Australian
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VideoFirst look at Shane Warne documentary.

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, the greatest leg spin bowler of all-time, has died aged 52.

A statement from Warne’s management said the father of three and national hero was found in his villa in Koh Samui, Thailand, where he was holidaying.

“It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4th March,” the statement said.

“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.”

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Warne leaves behind daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, and son Jackson, 22, who he shared with ex-wife Simone Callahan.

It was the second sporting tragedy in 24 hours after Australian and WA cricket great Rod Marsh died on Friday after he suffered a heart attack last week.

In his final post on Twitter, Warne paid tribute to the legendary wicketkeeper.

“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls,” Warne wrote.

“Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate.”

Former teammate Adam Gilchrist, who was a commentator with Warne on Fox Sports, paid tribute to the King of Spin on Twitter by posting images of a broken heart.

Gilchrist told The West Australian he was “numb” and stunned”.

“Simply can’t believe it,” he said.

“First my, and many’s hero, Bacchus (Rod Marsh) and now the best ever, Shane Warne.

“The highlight of my cricketing career was to wicketkeep to Warnie. The best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work.

“I’ve always felt a tad selfish, that Heals (Ian Healy) and I pretty much exclusively are the only ones who had that thrill and pleasure. RIP Warnie.”

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, a close friend of Warne’s, wrote: “RIP King.” Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan, who was in Australia this summer, posted: “Love ya king.”

“Warnie” took 708 Test wickets, the second-most of all-time, in a stellar career that spanned 145 Tests between 1992 and 2007.

He remains the second leading wicket-taker of all time behind Muttiah Muralitharan, and was one of Australia’s best known and greatest ever sportspeople.

The England and West Indies teams held a minute’s silence in memory of Warne before the start of play in Antigua. The Australian team had just walked off the field after day one against Pakistan.

On tour in Pakistan, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins posted on Twitter: “Hard to fathom. We all idolised Warnie growing up for his showmanship, will to win from any position and his incredible skill.

“Players all over the world owe him so much for what he has brought to cricket. He had a huge affect on all he met. He transcended cricket. RIP King.”

Test opener David Warner said he was last for words after the loss of Warne and Marsh.

“Two legends of our game have left us too soon. I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad,” Warner said. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just cannot believe it.”

Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar said: “Shocked, stunned and miserable. Will miss you Warnie. There was never a dull moment with you around, on or off the field. Will always treasure our on field duels & off field banter. You always had a special place for India & Indians had a special place for you. Gone too young!”

England cricket legend Ian Botham posted on Twitter: “I’ve lost a great friend on and off the playing field. One of the best. My thoughts are with Jackson Summer & Brooke ... RIP Warnster.”

Sir Vivien Richards, the legendary West Indian batsman, said: “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.”

Regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in history, Warne was one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century, alongside Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Vivian Richards.

The Victorian went on to revolutionise the way the game was played and inspire generations of cricketers across the globe.

A documentary recently released on Amazon Prime looked at the life and career of Warne.

In it, Warne told how age seven he broke both his legs and was forced to get around on a trolley using his hands, which he said helped build-up strength in his wrists.

His first sporting love was football, but when he couldn’t make into the first grade at his beloved St Kilda, Warne turned to cricket.

He became a sporting sensation and would transcend cricket when he bowled “the ball of the century” to dismiss England’s Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes.

Camera IconMike Gatting getting bamboozled by the ‘ball of the century’. Credit: Steve Lindsell/Getty Images

“Gatting has absolutely no idea what has happened to it ... he still doesn’t know,” former Australian captain Richie Benaud famously said in commentary.

In the documentary, Warne recalled how the plan for his first ball in Ashes cricket was simple: “Let’s bowl the ball and spin the ball as far as you possibly can, and send a message to the England guys.”

“Suddenly a hush goes around the ground, and I take a step and bowl and I let go of the ball and it was like it happened in slow-motion,” he said.

“Gatting tried to turn it, it drifted, pitched and just missed his bat and just clipped to the top of off-stump. First ball in an Ashes series and I felt pretty bloody good.

“It was a fluke – I never ever did it again, the Gatting ball – but from that moment, things changed. That changed my life that ball.”

Warne retired after reaching the 700 wicket mark and while still at the top of his game so he could spend more time with his children.

“The real reason I retired and the major reason, was my children were 10, 8 and 6, I wanted to be with them more,” he said.

“I had missed so much of their lives. I wanted to cut their lunches, walk them to school, I wanted to watch them play sport. I wanted to be more involved rather than part-time.

“I wanted to be a full-time dad, and that was the major reason I retired. I bloody loved it.”

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