Shane Warne latest news: Michael Clarke breaks down while talking about his close mate

Michael Clarke has broken down on live television while delivering an emotional message on his good friend, Shane Warne.

England captain Joe Root (left) laughs while ustralian captain Steve Smith (centre) and former Australian cricketer Shane Warne look on during a pitch inspection prior to play on Day 5 of the Third Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the WACA ground in Perth, Monday, December 18, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

Michael Clarke has broken down in tears while remembering his late friend and “role model” Shane Warne on live television.

The former Australian skipper was overcome with emotion while paying tribute to the beloved cricket icon telling Channel Nine, “I don’t think I will ever say goodbye”.

“No more crying. My God,” Clarke said wiping away tears.

“Yeah, it will be hard. It will be hard. You know, I see they have named a stand after him, which he definitely deserves. I’m sure he will get the send off that he deserves. Yeah. I don’t think I will ever say goodbye.”

Michael Clarke breaks down on Today while talking about his good friend, Shane Warne.

Clarke, 40, revealed that he spoke to Warne just two days before his fateful trip to Thailand and that everything seemed to be ok.

“Not at all,” Clarke said when asked about any signs of health struggles.

“I spoke to him two days before he got on the plane to fly to Thailand and he sounded as happy and as positive as ever.

“We spoke briefly about both trying to get fit and stay healthy and that type of thing but we spoke about that regularly.So I didn’t notice any change, any difference.”

CUMMINS: CRICKET WILL NEVER BE SAME WITHOUT WARNIE

By Ben Horne

Steve Smith and David Warner have revealed how their earliest cricketing days were spent trying to emulate their hero, Shane Warne.

Two of the greatest modern-day Test batsmen started out wanting to be leg-spinners, simply because of Warne.

Warner had Warne’s poster hanging on his Matraville bedroom wall, while Smith credited Australia’s greatest ever wicket-taker with helping him debut in Test cricket back in 2010 as a leg-spinner.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins (L) and teammates wear black armbands as they arrive to observe a minute silence and pay their respects Shane Warne. Picture: AFP

It was Warner who broke the news about Warne’s tragic death to shocked Australian teammates as they boarded the bus to return to their hotel rooms following day one of the first Test in Pakistan.

After receiving a text message from their mutual manager James Erskine, Warner delivered the bombshell and said there was utter silence on the bus all the way back to the hotel.

During last year’s World Cup, Warne revealed that Smith had called him to confront him over recent criticism he had voiced about his place in the Twenty20 team.

They chatted it through and the mutual respect remained unaffected.

Warne was heavily critical of Mitchell Starc leading into the Ashes summer, but admitted in a private conversation with Erskine after Starc’s wicket-taking blitz against England that he might have got it wrong … before adding that maybe he had helped Starc along.

Steve Smith and Joe Root chat to Shane Warne.

Smith paid a heartfelt tribute to Warne’s lasting impact on him and the Australian game.

“Growing up watching Shane Warne play the game was the reason I started
bowling leg spin when I was 13. He was a true entertainer,” Smith told News Corp.
“Something was always happening when Warney was bowling. I’m grateful for the work and advice he put into my bowling when I was first involved in the Australian team. After two sessions I walked away feeling like I was a better bowler. He was very giving of his time to young spinners in Australia and around the world.

“I’m incredibly saddened by the news of his passing. 52 is way too young! Having lost two Australian cricket legends within 24 hours is heartbreaking and my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of Shane and Rod.”

Shane Warne bowls to Steve Smith in the BBL.

Warner reflected on so many mornings before play in Test cricket, where the legend Warne would impart advice on members of the team that would end up as successful parts of Australia’s game plan.

An outspoken commentator who wasn’t afraid to ruffle feathers, but the respect he was held in by Australia’s current Test team was always beyond question.

Warner said he was numb at receiving the message advising him of Warne’s passing.

“I found out from James after everyone had been notified, his family, and just before it got out,” Warner said on Fox Cricket.

“We spoke to the guys and we were on the bus ready to come back to the hotel. Everyone was just absolutely gobsmacked.

“There was silence in the cars and we came back and … we just raised a glass and shared some great memories and stories about Shane and what he did for cricket and world cricket in general.

David Warner chats to Shane Warne at a Fox Cricket launch.

“From my personal story, I had a Warnie poster on my wall. Like every other young cricketing kid. I grew up wanting to be like Shane. Started my journey bowling like him and through 17s and 19s we tried to replicate everything Warnie did with his action.

“You’ve seen my action alongside his. I wanted to be like Shane.

“ … He’d say a few things to a couple of us and we’d implement that the next day and things just panned out and worked. He knew the game so well. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Australian captain Pat Cummins said Warne was a once-in-a-lifetime sportsperson whose void can never be filled.

“On behalf of the entire playing group and support staff here in Pakistan, I want to express our shock and sadness over Shane’s sudden passing. We are all numbed by the news. 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,” said Cummins.

“So many of us in the playing group grew up idolising him and fell in love with this great sport as a result, while many of our support staff either played with him or against him.

“It has been a terrible couple of days for Australian cricket with the passing of Rod Marsh and now Shane. Our thoughts are with both families, and in Shane’s case, particularly with his parents Keith and Bridgette, his brother Jason and his children Jackson, Summer and Brooke.

“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.”

On Triple M’s Dead Set Legends on Saturday morning, Australian T20 star Glenn Maxwell was in tears for the duration of the interview he gave about Warne’s influence on him.

“We had a really good relationship. I’m just broken at the moment,” said Maxwell, who drove to white ball captain Aaron Finch’s house on Saturday morning to console each other.