‘Powerful’: Shane Warne’s final text messages to Glenn Maxwell revealed

Australian cricket star Glenn Maxwell has revealed the “powerful” final text messages he received from the late Shane Warne.

Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell has revealed the “powerful” final text messages he received from the late Shane Warne.

Maxwell, who stepped away from the game in 2019 to focus on his mental health, has been outspoken about his battle with depression and anxiety.

Watch every match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup LIVE & FREE on Kayo Freebies. Join free now and start streaming instantly.

The talented all-rounder confessed that he wanted his arm to be broken during Australia’s 2019 World Cup campaign so he could have a break from international cricket.

Speaking on Channel 7’s Warnie, Maxwell recalled his last digital encounter with the King of Spin, who passed away in Thailand earlier this month.

“I actually went back, had a look at my last text chain with him, and it’s something that’s going to live with me forever,” he said.

“He just randomly checked in, so it said, ‘Well played last night. How you doing? Are you OK?’

“And I didn’t think too much of it because I was sort of just playing it cool, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Thanks, mate. Hope you’re going alright.’

“But he kept on going at me, Sort of chipping away, ‘Nah, nah, are you OK? What’s up?’

“He knew that something was up and it took like the third or fourth time to ask me, ‘Are you OK?’ that I actually sort of told him what was going on and he’s just wrote a little paragraph to say that he was there for me, ‘Let me know if you ever need to chat or a phone call.’

“For him to sort of reach out to me at that time, and keep probing away to make sure that I was OK, I thought was really powerful and something that I really cherish about our friendship post-cricket. He was always there.”

Shane Warne directs teammate Glenn Maxwell in practice match in 2012.

Earlier this week, Maxwell revealed he had tied the knot with long-time partner Vini Raman, sharing the news on social media platforms.

In the Channel 7 documentary, several former teammates and close mates paid tribute to the King of Spin.

Former Test batter Justin Langer, who stepped down as Australian national men’s coach last month, said: “Shane Warne was very kind to people. Outside of the bravado and outside of the King of Spin, he was a very kind person, and a very generous person. It’s amazing how generous he was to people.

“He was generous with his time, he was generous with his support, and I certainly felt it. He was not only caring and kind, but he’s loyal. He is stubbornly loyal.

“He kept an eye on me, he was making sure I was OK, ‘Are you OK, mate? I’ve got your back. I got your back.’”

Justin Langer, former coach of Australia, speaks with Shane Warne. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Warne was farewelled by his closest family and friends in a private funeral on Sunday.

A cluster of Australian cricket icons arrived at Warne’s beloved St Kilda Football Club for the invitation-only ceremony, including Victorian seamer Merv Hughes, former Test captain Mark Taylor, batting great Mark Waugh and former wicketkeeper Ian Healy.

The service was held with almost 100 high profile names attending, including TV commentating colleagues, Melbourne media personalities and St Kilda football club figures.
It came 10 days before a crowd of 50,000 is expected to gather at the MCG for a star-studded public memorial.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin will be sending a music performance to be played during the memorial, while pop icons Elton John and Ed Sheeran will also deliver messages.
The MCG’s Great Southern Stand will be renamed in the king of spin’s honour, a move announced just hours after his death.