Shane Warne dead: World reacts to Australian cricket legend’s shock death at 52
Shocked and devastated, cricketers from around the world are posting tributes to their colleague and mate Shane Warne.
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Shane Warne is one of the greatest cricketers and sporting icons the world has ever seen, and the immediate reaction to his shock passing was utter shock and devastation.
His Fox Cricket colleagues Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan and current Test star David Warner expressed their despair.
Gilchrist reacted to the news with a series of broken heart emojis, while Warner said he was struggling to take in the loss of Warne and Rod Marsh on the same day, posting a picture of them together.
“Two legends of our game have left us too soon. I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad,” Warner tweeted.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just cannot believe it. RIP you both will be missed.”
Less than an hour after Warne’s death was confirmed, England players in the West Indies stood for a minute’s silence before a practice match.
Fellow cricketing icon Sir Vivian Richards was quick to pay tribute in the wake of Warne’s passing.
“Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can’t be true … Rest in Peace, Shane Warne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket.”
Terribly sad day.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 4, 2022
Worlds gana miss you Warney!
RIP pic.twitter.com/GpUr0jOkfw
Ian Botham posted: “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.”
Warne’s death was immediately reacted to by other superstars overseas like Kevin Pietersen and Virender Sehwag.
Australia’s team was just getting back to its hotel in Rawalpindi after day one of the first Test against Pakistan.
“Cannot believe it. One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more,” tweeted Sehwag.
“Life is very fragile, but this is very difficult to fathom. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans all around the world.”
I’m so saddened by the sudden death of Shane Warne. He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever. pic.twitter.com/ZW76EbS6GB
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 4, 2022
England’s Barmy Army Twitter account posted: “Simply can’t believe we are writing this. RIP Shane Warne, one of the game’s best characters and finest bowlers. Forever etched in Ashes history.”
England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who worked with Shane Warne at the Indian Premier League, said it was an honour to know him. “Australian Legend @rajasthanroyals Legend Was an honour to know you and work with you This man is a LEGEND #theking”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson adds his thoughts on Shane Warne
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “totally shocked and saddened” at the death of a “cricketing genius”.
“And one of the nicest guys you could meet, who also did a lot to help disadvantaged kids into sport,” he said.
Totally shocked and saddened to hear about Shane Warne - a cricketing genius and one of the nicest guys you could meet, who also did a lot to help disadvantaged kids into sport. pic.twitter.com/EO3K6Ipwh6
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 4, 2022
Sir Andrew Strauss, the former England captain and current England interim managing director, called him the “greatest showman”.
“There were other great cricketers, who when you look at their record would potentially equal Shane’s or maybe even better them but there was no greater star in cricket than Shane Warne,” he told BBC Five Live.
Farewell to the greatest
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) March 4, 2022
World pays tribute to Shane Warne https://t.co/RjuITdhWY1pic.twitter.com/nYaxSFQxM3
“We should all be happy and proud to have played against him and watched him in action because no one grew the sport the way he did... He was one of those characters who had so much vibrancy and energy about him, you never thought his time was anywhere near up.”
England captain Joe Root said the leg-spinner was a “massive idol” of his growing up, describing the Australia legend as someone who “absolutely loved the game of cricket.”
Speaking from the West Indies where England is on tour, Root said a game just stated when the news began filtering through the dressing room.
“It’s been quite a quiet dressing room off the back of it. It’s hit everyone quite hard if I’m being brutally honest,” he said. “As a kid growing up he was a massive idol of mine and someone you wanted to emulate. The way he could win a game on his own, his skill levels were incredible.
“I’d have been 14 when the 2005 Ashes was on, in many ways that series was a massive influence on my career,” he added.
Australia men’s captain Pat Cummins reacted from Pakistan, saying the whole team was “numbed by the news”
“Apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport,” he told reporters. “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.”
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
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah wrote: “Shocked beyond words. A legend of our game, an icon, and someone who revolutionised spin bowling. RIP Shane Warne”.
Former Aussie women’s cricketer and commentator Mel Jones wrote: “One of the greatest who ever played our game. But also coach, mentor, mate & Dad. #RIPShaneWarne”
Originally published as Shane Warne dead: World reacts to Australian cricket legend’s shock death at 52
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