Warne died aged 52 on Friday
Tributes have poured in for Shane Warne, the legendary Australian bowler, who has died aged 52.
Warne suffered a suspected heart attack and his management company said he had been found unresponsive in his villa on the Thai island Koh Samui on Friday.
The spin bowler took 708 Test wickets – the second most in history – in 145 matches across a spectacular 15-year international career.
Warne played a vital role in helping Australia the 1999 50-over World Cup, claiming 293 dismissals in 194 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2005.
He retired from international cricket in 2007 after Australia’s 5-0 Ashes win against England, before retiring from first-class and List A cricket later that year with Hampshire. Warne played for Hampshire for five seasons and captained the side since 2004.
The Australian played Twenty20 franchise cricket until retiring from all formats in 2013. He later worked as a commentator, pundit and a coach.
Former England batter Ian Bell, who played against Warne several times in his Test career, wrote: “There are no words. A hero growing up and the greatest player I ever played against. I can’t believe it. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”
There are no words. A hero growing up and the greatest player I ever played against. I can’t believe it.
My thoughts are with his loved ones. https://t.co/NEN2VwbUtJ— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) March 4, 2022
England all-rounder Ben Stokes said that it was an honour to know Warne, having worked with the Australian at the Indian Premier League.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Car2eghsR68/?utm_source=ig_embed
Ian Botham said that he had lost a great friend, on and off the field, adding: “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”.
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
— BeefyBotham (@BeefyBotham) March 4, 2022
Jos Buttler posted a simple, but emotional, tribute to Warne, alongside a photo of the pair.
— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) March 4, 2022
Virat Kohli, who recently resigned as India captain, paid tribute to the ‘greatest to turn a cricket ball’ and someone he got to know away from the field.
He said: “Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the cricket ball.”
Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the cricket ball. pic.twitter.com/YtOkiBM53q
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 4, 2022
Brian Lara – widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen of all time – stated that he had lost a friend and one of the greatest sportsmen of all time, saying: “[Heartbroken] And speechless at the moment. I literally don’t know how to sum up this situation. My friend is gone!! We have lost one of the Greatest Sportsmen of all time!! My condolences goes out to his family. RIP Warnie!! You will be missed.”
💔 And speechless at the moment. I literally don’t know how to sum up this situation. My friend is gone!!
We have lost one of the Greatest Sportsmen of all time!!
My condolences goes out to his family.
RIP Warnie!! You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/sQOrL9dIyM— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 4, 2022
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan wrote: “[Heartbroken] Love ya king …”
💔 Love ya king …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 4, 2022
Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who formed a formidable partnership with Warne, posted a simple message.
💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 4, 2022
Kevin Pietersen also paid tribute to Warne on social media, expressing his sadness at the news of his passing.
https://twitter.com/kp24/status/1499748996331581457?s=21
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar paid tribute to the legendary leg-spinner.
He said: “Just heard the devastating news about legendary Shane Warne passing away. No words to describe how shocked & sad i am. What a legend. What a man. What a cricketer.”
Just heard the devastating news about legendary Shane Warne passing away. No words to describe how shocked & sad i am.
What a legend. What a man. What a cricketer. pic.twitter.com/4C8veEBFWS— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) March 4, 2022
Akhtar’s fellow Indian Virender Sehwag said that Warne was the man who made spin ‘cool’, saying: “Cannot believe it. One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more. Life is very fragile, but this is very difficult to fathom. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans all around the world.”
Cannot believe it.
One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more.
Life is very fragile, but this is very difficult to fathom. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans all around the world. pic.twitter.com/f7FUzZBaYX— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) March 4, 2022
Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan posted a tribute to Warne, and said he was the reason he began playing cricket.
“Heartbroken about @ShaneWarne’s news. Rest in peace legend. I used to keep watching him take wickets on TV. So when I started proper cricket, I decided to become a legspinner. Have no words to express my sorrow. Prayers for the departed and family,” he said.
Heartbroken about @ShaneWarne’s news. Rest in peace legend. I used to keep watching him take wickets on TV. So when I started proper cricket, I decided to become a legspinner. Have no words to express my sorrow. Prayers for the departed and family. pic.twitter.com/NIk7KDW85d
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) March 4, 2022
https://www.instagram.com/p/Car2KD3Jcpw/?utm_source=ig_embed
Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar said that ‘Indians always had a special place for you’, adding “Shocked, stunned & miserable… 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!”
Shocked, stunned & miserable…
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! pic.twitter.com/219zIomwjB
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 4, 2022
Absolutely shocked to hear the news about Shane Warne. Words cannot express how the cricketing community will miss him. He brought cricket back into fashion, a huge personality on and off the field. He was Mr. Hollywood, devastating news. RIP #shanewarne
— Monty Panesar (@zkp_scroll) March 4, 2022
