Shine Warne: Legendary leg-spinner dies aged 52 in Thailand
Melbourne: He was 52 and is survived by two daughters and a son. Warne’s management released a brief statement to the Australian media, saying that he passed away in Koh Samui, Thailand, and that the reason could be a suspected heart attack. Koh Samui is popular among tourists and is the second largest island in Thailand.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement reported by various media outlets here said. “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.” An iconic name in international cricket, Warne, since making his debut in 1992, played 145 Tests for Australia, picking up 708 wickets. In his 194 ODI appearances, Warne snared 293 scalps. He immortalised himself with the ‘Ball of the Century’ in 1993. As a 24-year-old, he deceived Mike Gatting at Old Trafford with a delivery that landed on the leg stump and, as the Englishman tried to defend, turned viciously to clip his off bail.
Gatting was left in disbelief by the big leg break, a craft that was dying before Warne revived it with his guile. He is the second highest wicket-taker in Test history and only Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800) has more wickets than him.
In 2007, Cricket Australia and Sri Lanka Cricket named the Test series between the two sides the Warne–Muralitharan Trophy in the duo’s honour. Warne, who made his Test debut against India at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, was named as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Century for his unparalleled achievements in a 15-year career between 1992 and 2007.
In 2013, the year he retired from the game completely, he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. His international retirement happened much before that in 2007. Warne helped Australia win the World Cup in 1999 and took more wickets than any other bowler in Ashes cricket, the tally standing at 195.
After retiring from international cricket, Warne added to his legend by guiding Rajasthan Royals to Indian Premier League glory in the inaugural edition. A flamboyant personality both on and off the field, Warne also found success as a commentator and was considered among the sharpest analysts of the game.
He was immensely popular in India and his connection with the country went back to his debut when Ravi Shastri became his first Test wicket. Warne’s vivacious persona made him a fan favourite across the cricketing world but also often landed him in trouble.
Warne passed away on a day when Australian cricket is in mourning after the death of wicket-keeping legend Rod Marsh. He had condoled Marsh’s demise in a tweet on Friday morning and that post would now be among his last public statements.
