Australian legend Shane Warne passes away

Shane Warne, widely regarded as the greatest legspinner of all time, has passed away, aged 52.

Warne died after a ‘suspected heart attack’, according to a statement from his management team, initially reported by Fox Cricket.

Warne represented Australia in 145 Test matches and 194 ODIs, and was the Player of the Match in the semifinal and the final of Australia’s victorious 1999 World Cup campaign. He picked up 708 wickets in Tests – the second-highest after Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan – and 293 in ODIs to take 1001 international wickets.

Warne made his international debut against India in 1992 in Sydney and hung up his boots in 2007 after completing a 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes at the same venue. After the end of his playing career, Warne took up commentary. 

“It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” a statement from his management company MPC Entertainment read.

“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.”