Shane Warne found dead at 52 in a Thailand villa

Shane Warne, one of the most influential figures in Australian sport, has died aged 52 of a suspected heart attack in Thailand.

Australian cricket icon Shane Warne has died aged 52.

His manager James Erskine released a statement on Saturday morning confirming the former Test leg-spinner had died in Thailand of a suspected heart attack.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement read.

“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”

Warne is survived by three children: Jackson, Brooke and Summer.

Warne is regarded as one of the finest cricketers in history, claiming 708 Test wickets at 25.41 in 145 matches between 1992 and 2007. No Australian has taken more international wickets than the Victorian.

He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013, and was named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century, alongside Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Vivian Richards.

The leg-spinner featured in Australia’s 1999 World Cup triumph, winning six Ashes series.

After his retirement, Warne served as a commentator and broadcaster for Channel 9 and Fox Cricket.

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Warne in 2006. Picture: William West / AFP

The tragic news comes less than 24 hours after former Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh died aged 74, having suffered a heart attack in Queensland last week.

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

Warne was credited with reviving the art of leg-spin – his career tally of 708 Test wickets was surpassed only by Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan with 800.

Even America understood the impact Warne had, with the New York Times newspaper reporting on his tragic passing, calling him “one of the greatest cricket players of all time, and a larger-than-life figure on and off the field”.

“He was a master of spin, balls that don’t come in fast but instead twist and turn, potentially bamboozling the batsman. And few bamboozled more batsmen than Warne,” the Times wrote.

Australian opener David Warner tweeted: “Two legends of our game have left us too soon. I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just cannot believe it. #rip, you will both be missed.”

Warne took a role as a commentator after retiring from the game. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

He is considered one of the greatest sportsmen in Australia’s history. Picture: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for Rajasthan Royals

Prime Minister Scott Morrison released a statement paying tribute to Warne, saying he will be offered a state funeral.

“Australians have woken in shock and sadness to the awful news of the death of Shane Warne,” Mr Morrison said.

“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, his discipline and passion for the game he loved.

“But Shane was more than this to Australians. Shane 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.

“There was something magical that he brought to our summers. The bleached blonde hair, the almost casual way he moved to send down a delivery, and his engagement with the crowd. He was one of a kind.

“He inspired so many girls and boys to try their hand at cricket. He made it all look so easy. At some point, in most Australian backyards, we all tried to deliver a flipper.

“As we heard as a commentator, behind the playfulness that we associated with Shane, there was a player who understood the strategies and intricacies of cricket as few others. A brilliance that will always be remembered alongside that of Bradman and Benaud.

“There was also a generosity to so many people away from the cameras. With a smile and a g’day he’d bridge every gap.

“Shane was his own man, following his own path. In those times when he could have been knocked down by the headlines, he got back up. He always did.

“Shane was the ‘King of Spin’ because there was none like him. The ‘ball of the century’ will be talked about forever.

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

“We have lost one of Australia’s greatest cricketers and today we are bewildered by this sad and sudden loss.”

RIP, Shane.

Statement from Australian Test captain Pat Cummins

“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.”

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley statement

“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.”