Australian cricket icon Shane Warne has passed away at the age of 52. Warne is survived by three children – Jackson, Summer and Brooke.
The news of Shane Warne’s death is shaking up the sporting community. The 52-year old king of spin has been found dead at a luxury resort in Koh Samui of a suspected heart attack.
Early this morning (AEDT), Warne’s manager James Erskine issued a brief statement.
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
the statement reads.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,”
“Good Night”
Just hours prior to his death, Warne posts to his Instagram to wish his followers a “good night”.
Hours later, Warne is found dead by his close friend and associate, Andrew Neophitou. Attempts to resuscitate Warne, reportedly fail.
Neophitou is the executive producer of the recently released documentary, “SHANE”. This bipic chronicles Warne’s controversial rise to celebrity as a sporting celebrity, living the high-life in Hollywood.
Staff at the Thai International Hospital in Bangkok tell AFP that Warne’s body arrived at their facility at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time (1100 GMT).
“A Legend of Our Great Game”
Tributes are flowing in from the sporting community. The International Cricket Council posts to twitter,
RIP Shane Warne 1969-2022 One of the greatest entertainers and match-winners our game has ever seen.
The announcement of Warne’s death marks the second terrible blow to Australian cricket in less than 24 hours; following the death of fellow great Rod Marsh on Friday.
Marsh was one of Warne’s cricketing idols. Just hours before the news of his own death, Warne expresses his sorrow at Marsh’s passing via Twitter.
A Once-In-A-Century Cricketer
Warne is one of the greatest sportsmen in Australia’s history; holding claim to 708 Test wickets at 25.41 in 145 matches between 1992 and 2007. The Victorian took more international wickets than any other Australian. A member of a powerful Australian Test side in the 1990s and 2000s, Warne was instrumental in Australia’s victory at the 1999 World Cup for limited overs.
Following his retirement, Warne continued to work as a cricket commentator and broadcaster for Channel 9 and Fox Cricket Network. In 2013, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, alongside Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Vivian Richard.
Shock and Sadness
This morning, a statement from Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia chief executive, reads:
“Shane was one of the most talented and charismatic cricketers we have ever witnessed. He loved cricket, had an extraordinarily astute understanding of the game and his influence and legacy will last for as long as it is played…
“We are in a state of complete shock at his sudden passing and our thoughts are with his family, his many friends and the legion of fans from all over the world who loved and admired Warnie for his unbelievable bowling skills, his humour, warmth and engaging personality.”
Australian cricket team captain, Pat Cummins, describes Warne as “a hero” in a statement from this morning. Cummins is currently on a tour of Pakistan.
“Shane was a once-in-a-century cricketer and his achievements will stand for all time, but apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport.
“The game of cricket was never the same after Shane emerged, and it will never be the same now he has gone. Rest in peace King.”
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