Aussie cricketer Shane Warne has died in Thailand, aged 52
Shane Warne, one of Australia’s greatest cricketers, has died in Thailand of a suspected heart attack, aged just 52.
NSW
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Australian cricketing great Shane Warne has died in Thailand, aged just 52, from a suspected heart attack.
The shock news has been confirmed by the Warne family, who released a statement at midnight, saying the international cricketer-turned-commentator died of a suspected heart attack on Friday.
“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 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.”
Attempts by Warne’s close friend and associate Andrew Neophitou to revive him were unsuccessful.
Neophitou was an executive producer behind the recently released documentary SHANE, which documented Warne’s rise as a controversial sporting star who enjoyed a Hollywood lifestyle.
The man known worldwide as “Warnie” made his Test debut at the SCG in 1992, quickly winning fans with his prodigious talent and larrikin flair.
Considered by many to be the greatest bowler to ever play the game, Warne was rated one of the top five cricketers of the 20th century in 2000.
Born in the outer Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully, Warne first got a taste for representative cricket when he was granted a scholarship to Mentone Grammar, representing the University of Melbourne Club in the Victoria Cricket Association U16 Dowling Shield competition.
He then joined the St Kilda Cricket Club, near his home suburb of Black Rock and — after a little stint in AFL at the St Kilda U19s team in 1988, where he made the reserves team and almost turned pro — Warne went to train at the Australia Cricket Academy in Adelaide.
He made his professional debut in 1991 at Junction Oval in the Victoria versus Western Australia match.
That same year, he was selected for the Australian B team and toured Zimbabwe, where he scored his first five-or-more-wickets inning.
In 1993 he was selected for the Ashes England Tour as lead wicket-taker.
When he likened his life to a soap opera, Warne was selling himself short. His career was part fairytale, part adults-only romp, part awards ceremony.
He took a Test hat-trick, won the Man-of-the-Match prize in a World Cup final and was the subject of seven books.
He was the first cricketer to reach 700 Test wickets and his tally of 708 was the most ever for an Australian, and second only to Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.
Warne swatted more runs than any other Test player without making a hundred, and was probably the wiliest captain Australia never had.
His ball that bamboozled England’s Mike Gatting in 1993, bouncing outside leg stump and cuffing off, is unanimously esteemed the most famous in history and recognised as the ball of the century.
Warne revived leg spin when it was thought to be extinct.
His retirement from international competition came in 2007, before he quit first-class cricket in 2008.
Warne then joined the Channel 9 team, becoming a commentator for the sport, but it was short-lived as he was snapped up by Sky Sports in 2009.
Warne captained the One Day International (ODI) Australia between 1998-99, winning 10 from 11 games and executing a win percentage of almost 91 per cent.
He still holds the record of scoring the most runs (3154) without scoring a century, but said his biggest achievements in life were his children.
Warne leaves behind daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, and his son Jackson, 22, who he shares with ex-wife Simone Callahan.
The news of Warne’s death came just hours after he expressed his sadness and condolences following the passing of another cricketing icon, Rodney Marsh.
“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed,” Warne wrote on Twitter.
“He was a legend of our great game & and inspiration to so many young boys and girls.
“Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much – especially to Australia & England players.
“Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate.”
Twelve hours later, the tributes started pouring in for Warne.
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