Legendary Australian leg-spinner and cricket commentator Shane Warne dies, aged 52

Australian officials will fly to Thailand to retrieve the body of cricket legend Shane Warne who died suddenly of a suspected heart attack despite his friend's frantic efforts to revive him.

Shane Warne has died aged 52. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Australian officials will fly to Thailand on Saturday to retrieve the body of cricket legend Shane Warne who died suddenly of a suspected heart attack.

Aged just 52, Warne was found unresponsive by friends in a villa he was staying at in Koh Samui, Thailand.

His manager Andrew Neophitou is understood to have attempted CPR in a bid to revive him before an ambulance arrived.

Warne was taken to the Thai International Hospital where he was pronounced dead following a suspected heart attack.

Chatchawin Nakmusik of the Bo Put police told Reuters that Warne’s body had been transferred to another hospital for autopsy and his friends would be questioned by police on Saturday — but added there were no signs of foul play.

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne confirmed Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials had been in touch Warne’s travelling companions, and would travel to Koh Sumai to “provide further assistance”.

Warne will then be repatriated ahead of an expected state funeral which has been offered to his family by Dan Andrews.

“DFAT is working with Thai authorities to confirm arrangements following his passing, assist with his repatriation, and provide other assistance on the ground,” Senator Payne said.

A statement was put out after midnight Australian time from Warne’s management advising that Warne had died suddenly just hours after he had himself paid tribute to another cricket legend in Rod Marsh.

“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,” said the statement put out by Warne’s long-time manager, James Erskine.

“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.”

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 as his Fox Cricket colleagues Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan and current Test star David Warner expressed their despair.

Shane Warne will be remembered as one of the greatest to ever play the game. Picture: Tom Jenkins/Getty Images

Warne was cricket’s greatest modern day superstar, and took 708 wickets in his spellbinding Test career as a leg-spinner.

Known internationally as “Warnie”, the Victorian made his Test debut at the SCG in 1992 and by the end of his career was rated one of the top five cricketers of the 20th century by Wisden.

Off the field, Warne’s life was like a soap opera, as he made headlines from the UK to Australia and at one point dated actress, Liz Hurley.

Having achieved every accolade the game had to offer as a player, Warne was one of the most recognisable commentators on the game globally, and the star of the Fox Cricket stable.

Shane Warne‘s offsider at Fox Cricket, and long-time Australian teammate Adam Gilchrist, reacted late Friday night to the news with a series of broken heart emojis.

Australian Test opener David 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,” said Warner on Twitter.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just cannot believe it. RIP you both will be missed.”

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 4, 2022

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, led the tributes 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.”

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.”

Shane Warn was one of the greatest cricketers of the century.

Warne was a name who transcended his sport and one of the few celebrity cricketers.

Less than 12 hours before his own tragic passing, Warne had paid tribute to Marsh, 74, who had also died of a heart attack.

“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls,” said Warne.

“Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate.”

It’s not so long ago another player of Warne’s vintage Dean Jones also died far too early from a heart attack.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley, in Pakistan for the first Test of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy series, said: “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.

“Wisden named him as one of the five cricketers of the twentieth century and he was rightly placed alongside the names of Bradman, Hobbs, Sobers and Vivian Richards.

“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.”

Shane Warne celebrates a wicket with teammates. Picture: AFP Pictures

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.”

Originally published as Legendary Australian leg-spinner and cricket commentator Shane Warne dies, aged 52