BRISBANE (Australia) — Shane Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest players, most astute tacticians and ultimate competitors in the long history of cricket, has died. He was 52.
Known around the cricket globe as “Warnie,” he revived and elevated the art of leg spin bowling when he emerged on the international scene in the 1990s and was a central character in one of Australia’s most successful eras in the sport. He also was one of cricket’s larger-than-life showmen.
Fox Sports television, which employed Warne as a commentator, quoted a family statement early Saturday as saying he died of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement said.
Cricket Australia described Warne as “a true cricketing genius.”
“Shane’s strength of character and enormous resilience saw him bounce back from career-threatening finger and shoulder injuries, and his stamina and his sheer will to win, and his self-belief were key factors in Australia’s great side of the late 1990s and early 2000s.”
“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. 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,” said a statement from Warne’s management company MPC Entertainment.
Warne, who was chosen as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century, finished his career with 293 wickets in ODIs and 708 wickets in Tests, the most by a legspinner in the format. Warne made his Test debut against India in Sydney in 1992 and followed it with an ODI debut against New Zealand in Wellington in March next year. The match against India didn’t quite go according to play as Warne returned figures of 1 for 150 and was dropped for the next Test. He had featured in just four Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria before his Test but was quick to deliver on his early promise. As his career flourished, he went on to win the World Cup in 1999 and was the Player of the Match in the final against Pakistan with figures of 4 for 33.
Warne will also be remembered for his leadership skills and was instrumental in Rajasthan Royals winning the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008.