Australia great Shane Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest Test players of all time, has died of a suspected heart attack.
He was 52.
Warne’s management said the retired leg-spinner died in Koh Samui, Thailand.
‘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 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.’
The announcement came just hours after the death was announced of fellow Australian great Rod Marsh, one of cricket’s outstanding wicketkeepers.
Tributes have poured in from around the world, with teammates and opponents alike expressing shock at his passing.
Warne was credited with reviving the art of leg-spin and during a brilliant 15-year career he took 708 Test wickets – a tally surpassed only by Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who took 800.
Warne was also named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, alongside Donald Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Jack Hobbs, and Viv Richards.
Warne became as well known for his colourful life outside cricket as he was for his exploits on the field, and at one stage was engaged to British movie star and model, Elizabeth Hurley. He also helped Australia win the 1999 One-Day International World Cup and took 293 wickets in 194 one-day internationals.
However, on the eve of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa he failed a drugs test after taking diuretics in a bid to lose weight and was sent home before Australian cricket authorities banned him for a year. He mounted a comeback and retired in 2007, after having helped Australia regain the Ashes against England.
In addition to his international exploits, Warne also enjoyed a successful career with his Australian state side Victoria, and captained English county Hampshire.
He starred in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals and in the Australian T20 Big Bash League for the Melbourne Stars.