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Cricket world pays tribute to Australian legend Shane Warne after his shock death

Liz Hurley has remembered Shane Warne as her ‘lionheart’ in a touching tribute following the Australian cricket great’s shock death.

12 min read
March 6, 2022 - 6:19AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
'Hard to believe' death of legendary cricketer Shane Warne

Liz Hurley, Shane Warne’s ex-fiancee, has added her own personal tribute in the wake of the cricket legend’s shocking death.
Labelling the spin king as her “beloved Lionheart”, the English actress and model said the “sun has gone behind a cloud forever” alongside several photos of the pair from their three-year relationship.
Meanwhile, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting, two of Shane Warne’s former team mates, paid tribute to their friend and expressed their devastation following his shock death at just 52-years-old.

As the sporting world comes to terms with the superstar’s tragic passing, McGrath said he thought he was invincible.

He hailed his mate for the impact he had on the game and paid tribute to his role as a father.

“Just absolutely devastated today,” McGrath, who retired from cricket on the same day as Warne in 2007, wrote on Instagram.

“Warnie was larger than life. I thought nothing could ever happen to him. He lived more in his life than most people would live in 20. He was the ultimate competitor.

“He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around & bring us to victory, which he did so many times. I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment. He was a great mate & a loving father.

“He loved his kids so much & my thoughts are with Brooke, Jackson & Summer. My thoughts are also with Keith, Bridgette & Jason. Rest In Peace my good mate, there’ll never again be anyone like you.”

Ponting took to his social media channel to pay tribute to a man who epitomised mateship.

“…someone who would be there for you when you needed him and always put his mates first,” Ponting wrote.

“The greatest bowler I ever played with or against. RIP King. My thoughts are with Keith, Bridgette, Jason, Brooke, Jackson and Summer.”

Read all the tributes to Warnie below and post your own in the comments section.


Remembering Shane Warne - 1969-2022 special airing today on Fox Cricket at 2pm

6.00AM EX-FIANCEE LIZ HURLEY’S TOUCHING WORDS

Liz Hurley, Shane Warne’s ex-fiancee, has added her own personal tribute in the wake of the cricket legend’s shocking death.
Labelling the spin king as her “beloved Lionheart”, the English actress and model said the “sun has gone behind a cloud forever” alongside several photos of the pair from their three-year relationship.
Hurley and Warne began dating in 2010, with Warne proposing the following year before the engagement was called off in 2013.

4.15PM IPL FRANCHISE PAYS TRIBUTE TO WARNE ‘MAGIC’
The IPL franchise Shane Warne helped build has paid tribute to its “magic” man.

Rajahstan Royals has issued a statement remembering how Warne helped turn “underdogs into champions” of the prestigious Indian Premier League. “Shane Warne. The name stands for magic. Our first Royal; the man who made us believe that impossible is just a myth. A leader who walked the walk, talked the talk, and turned underdogs into champions. A mentor who turned everything he touched into gold. “We don’t have the words to express what we truly feel at the moment but what we know is that the world is poorer today, as it will now exist without his smile, his brilliance, and his attitude to live to its fullest. We are completely heartbroken as are millions of cricket fans around the world. “Warnie, you will forever be our captain, leader, Royal. Rest in Peace, legend.”


1:45PM GLENN MCGRATH PAYS TRIBUTE

“Just absolutely devastated today. Warnie was larger than life. I thought nothing could ever happen to him. He lived more in his life than most people would live in 20.
“He was the ultimate competitor. He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around & bring us to victory, which he did so many times.
“I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment. He was a great mate & a loving father. He loved his kids so much & my thoughts are with Brooke, Jackson & Summer.
“My thoughts are also with Keith, Bridgette & Jason. Rest In Peace my good mate, there’ll never again be anyone like you.”


12:30PM WARNIE GETS MCG TRIBUTE


Forever a cricket legend and now forever at the MCG.

Following the shock death of one of Australia’s greatest ever cricketers, it has been confirmed the MCG’s Great Southern Stand will be renamed S. K. Warne Stand in honour of the 52-year-old who died while on holiday in Thailand.

Victorian sports minister Martin Pakula has announced the Great Southern Stand at the MCG will be renamed as soon as possible.

Pakula said the name would remain in place no matter what redevelopment work is undertake in years to come.

“I don’t want to talk through the [renaming] process other than to say I had a conversation with Dan a couple of hours ago and he’s exchanged messages with Shane’s brother and whilst they might be a technical process that would normally be gone through, sometimes you need to dispense with that,” Pakula said.

“You need to respond in the way that I think the whole community would think is appropriate.”

Warne’s family has been offered a state funeral by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.

“To us, he was the greatest – but to his family, he was so much more,” Mr Andrews said.

“Our hearts are breaking for Shane’s family and friends – and they are in the thoughts of all Victorians.

“I have offered a state funeral to his family so Victorians can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state, community and country.”


12:00PM: ‘HE WAS A LEGEND’: TOP SAINT REMEMBERS WARNE

St Kilda Football Club vice president and head of cricket Paul Meddings, who played with Warne, said the death of his long-time friend came as a “massive shock”.

“It’s going to be a tough day. So many of us have played with him over the years,” Mr Meddings said.

“He was the type of guy to just get on with it, to live life to the fullest. He was an extraordinary bloke,” he said.

“It’s a massive shock to our whole club, the whole cricket world and to sport in general.

“He was a legend, whichever way you look at it. He’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen.”

Mr Meddings extended his condolences to Warne’s three children Brooke, Jackson and Summer.

“I feel so much for his kids Brooke, Jackson and Summer. They’re so young and to lose their dad, it’s just horrible,” he said.

11:45AM: ‘WE WANT TO DO THEM PROUD’: LANNING

Two of cricket’s greats, Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, will be honoured by the Australian and English women’s cricket teams with a minute silence before their World Cup campaign begins in Hamilton, New Zealand this morning.

The cricketing world has been left stunned by the sudden and sad news of Warne’s passing overnight after a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand.

Marsh sadly passed away on Friday following a heart attack a week earlier.

The Australian and English women’s teams will don black armbands for the 50-over-clash as a sign of respect.

Aussie captain Meg Lanning said it had been a sad week.

“Losing Shane and Rod in the last couple of days has been very sad, our thoughts are with their family and friends, they were two icons of the game. It is a very sad time and hopefully we can do them proud today,” Lanning said.

11:35AM: ‘PEOPLE LOVED HIM’: EDDIE’S TRIBUTE TO WARNIE

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said cricket would never be the same after Warne’s tragic passing but his legacy would live on.

“I don’t know if anyone will ever be able to repeat his feats,” Mr McGuire told reporters outside the MCG.

“He was a man of his time, he reintroduced the leg-spin, he helped Test cricket when it started to fail, he breathed life into one-day cricket.

“I would like to think Warnie’s great legacy will be that if you work hard enough and you’ve got a talent, and you have a go, you can make it happen.”

Mr McGuire said the kid from Hampton who could spin a cricket ball became a “citizen of the world”.

“In the buffet of life he ate well, but he replenished, he gave back,” he said.

“Without any doubt in the world, that remarkable 52 years of life, I reckon he goes away a net contributor.

“People loved him.”

How the UK papers reported the sad news.
How the UK papers reported the sad news.

11:20AM: GIL PAYS TRIBUTE
Gillon McLachlan hails Shane Warne ‘everyone’s hero’.
“Australian sport, and our town of Melbourne, feels a smaller place with the devastating news of Shane Warne’s sudden early passing,” he said.

‘A legend of cricket across the world, thousands upon thousands in our game of footy have him as their hero because he approached his sport like we all hoped in our dreams how we could play a sport we loved – skilful, determined, mentally and physical tough – and so incredibly good to be clearly better than anyone else.

‘Footy loved Warnie because the peerless cricketer loved footy and he was a dedicated fan the same as every die-hard fan. He only saw the Saints, he raved about the players he loved, he cherished the wins, he bemoaned the losses and he rode the winter rollercoaster we ride every year.

“Australian football offers its sincere condolences to Brooke, Summer and Jackson and family, and to his countless friends who are grieving today Rest in Peace Shane Warne.”

11:10AM: ‘THEY’LL NEVER FORGET WHAT HE COULD DO’

Melbourne’s drizzly weather didn’t deter fans from paying tribute to the spin king at his old stomping ground at the MCG.

Flower bouquets, cards and t-shirts were laid next to a statue of Warne with one fan’s tribute reading: “R.I.P it up Warnie wherever the cricket gods take you”.

Harry Morrow placed down a VB, a meat pie and a packet of cigarettes in what he said was a “fitting tribute” for a “larger than life” character.

“He was Australian cricket. Back in the 90s you’d turn on the TV and just watch him take wickets,” Mr Morrow said as he held back tears.

“Anyone who ever saw him, they’ll never forget what he could do.

“The ones who burn the brightest burn half as long.”

Tributes to Shane Warne at the MCG. Picture: AFP Images
Tributes to Shane Warne at the MCG. Picture: AFP Images
Tributes to Shane Warne at the MCG. Picture: AFP Images
Tributes to Shane Warne at the MCG. Picture: AFP Images


10:15AM: SCOTT MORRISON’S TRIBUTE TO WARNE

Australian Prime Minister paid his respects to Warne, describing the spin king as one of the country’s great characters.

“Australians have woken in shock and sadness to the awful news of the death of Shane Warne, aged just 52,” he wrote.

“Shane was one of our greatest cricketers of all time, one of only a few that could approach the extraordinary achievements of the great Don Bradman.

“His achievements were the product of his talent, discipline and passion for the game he loved. “But Shane was more than this to Australians. He was one of our nation’s greatest characters. His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all.

“Australians loved him. We all did. We are all bewildered today by this sad and sudden loss.

“And for this to happen the day after losing the indomitable Rod Marsh, it doesn’t seem imaginable.

“There was none like Shane. He lived his life his way. He had his great achievements, but also his regrets. He carried them all the same way. With a cheeky smile and a zest for life.

“Our love and condolences go to Shane’s family and particularly his children Brooke, Jackson, & Summer.”

A flood of tributes have been posted for Shane Warne. Picture: AFP Images
A flood of tributes have been posted for Shane Warne. Picture: AFP Images

10AM: ‘REST IN PEACE KING’: CUMMINS

Australia men’s captain Pat Cummins said: “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.

“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.”

9:30AM: FOX CRICKET FAMILY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ICON WARNE

Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley said: “He was The King, Warnie. He could teach you more about cricket in a half hour commentary stint than any coach could teach you in a lifetime. He was a wonderful mate. A beautiful person. A scallywag. We loved him and he loved us. We will miss Shane every day.”

Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said: “Our nation has lost an icon in Shane Keith Warne. And for us at Foxtel and Kayo, the loss is heavy.

“Warnie was the favourite son of Fox Cricket. One of our family. A once in a lifetime genius of our national game, on and off the field. A larger-than-life personality with charisma to spare. A colleague, a mate.

“Today, the Fox Sports team are grieving at the news of Shane’s passing. Our condolences go out to his family and those closest to him. We have lost a giant. Rest in peace, Warnie.’


TRIBUTES FLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA AUSSIE LEGEND WARNE
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar was one of the first to post a heartfelt tribute to Warne.

“Shocked, stunned and miserable,” he wrote on Twitter.

“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.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan wrote:

“I can’t tell you how hard it is to get this down in words . it’s just doesn’t feel real to be talking about someone who once was an enemy on the pitch to one who became a great friend off it,” he said.

“Shane was the greatest ever cricketer but more than that his character lit up every dressing room, comm box, bar, golf club & friendship group . his energy & positivity was beyond anyone I have ever known.”

West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards added to those in shock over the news.

“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.”

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.

NEWMAN ROCKED BY GREAT MATE’S DEATH

Former footy great Sam Newman, who last spoke to Warne as the cricketing legend was heading to the airport to fly to Thailand, said he was rocked by his friend’s death.

“Other than finding dear Amanda (his wife who passed away at their home) last year, I have never been so shocked in my life,” Newman told 3AW.

“It is just extraordinary.”

Newman said Warne never wasted a moment of his extraordinary career.

“He had an immense love of life and he just enjoyed being who he was and he was a fantastic person,” he said.

“He was considerate, he was engaging, he was polite, he was genuinely concerned about the person he spoke to, he was very supportive of me and if they had ever played cricket in America he would have been as big a pop star as there is in the world.

“I played golf with him a hell of a lot and he was the most competitive, driven person I have ever met.

“He was very courteous, but my word, he never gave an inch when you competed against him.

“He had such a love of life and what he did and his kids, and his friends. It is just hard to quantify what such a good person he was.”

More Coverage

Ultimate showman: Warne’s charisma matched his talent
Peter Lalor
‘Lost for words’: Shane Warne dies, aged 52
Ben Horne and Ellen Ransley

Originally published as Cricket world pays tribute to Australian legend Shane Warne after his shock death

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-pays-tribute-to-australian-legend-shane-warne-after-his-shock-death/news-story/40266e0067c89b0812181520e86b13e6