Following the news of Shane Warne's shock passing - former teammates, rivals, friends and family have expressed their deepest sorrows in losing one of Cricket's greatest ever.
Warne died from a suspected heart attack at the age of 52 while on holiday in Thailand. Australia's king of spin, he recorded 708 Test wickets across 15 years at the international level, first making his debut in 1992 against India.
Warne would play a total of 145 Tests, 195 One Day Internationals and over 300 first-class matches in what was a decorated career for the boy from Ferntree Gully.
Close friends, ex-teammates and those that once called Warne a feared opponent took to social media to pay homage and honour the man that was Shane Warne.
I simply don’t have the words …. Thoughts and prayers with Simone Brooke Jackson and Summer Just can’t believe it! So very sad
— Merv Hughes (@MervHughes332) March 4, 2022
Numb. The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie. Best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work. Have often felt a tad selfish, that Heals and I pretty much exclusively are the only ones who had that thrill and pleasure at Test level. Rip Warnie.💔😢
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) March 4, 2022
This just unfathomable to lose another great of our cricket family. Warnie was the ultimate entertainer on and off the field, never a dull moment who lived life to the fullest.Deepest condolences to his loved ones.
RIP mate.— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) March 4, 2022
Just been stung by a wrong'un coz The King has put the flipper through the pearly gates too early. He lived life to the fullest, and left enough sunshine for me to stand in his shadow. #GreatestEverWarnie
Stumped, Hoggy pic.twitter.com/wgpKOo6nXn— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) March 4, 2022
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
"The game was never the same after Warnie emerged, and the game will never be the same after his passing"
Pat Cummins pays tribute to Shane Warne 📹 pic.twitter.com/p7CfgEDH4E
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 4, 2022
MAGICIAN, LEGEND, GOAT and much much more! You'll be missed 💔
RIP #ShaneWarne pic.twitter.com/pPYBx3IRsn
— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12) March 4, 2022
Heartbroken 💔 the best times of my life have been talking cricket with this bloke. The true rockstar of cricket. Will miss you so much. An icon, a game changer, a friend #ShaneWarne pic.twitter.com/V9IfsHQuHp
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) March 4, 2022
One of the greatest of all-time.
A legend. A genius.
You changed Cricket.
RIP Shane Warne ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YX91zmssoT
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 4, 2022
Others reflected on iconic moments of brilliance, mischief and mastery from throughout Warne's career, having seen the larrikin leg-spinner write his name in the game of cricket.
There will never be anyone like Shane Warne pic.twitter.com/O38WuowKID
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 4, 2022
Shane Warne
A thread of leg spin
🧵 🏏
Test debut vs India, 1st over pic.twitter.com/k5Twd2QKvB
— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) March 4, 2022
This was Shane Warne reflecting on the highs and lows of his career when he spoke to us on #BBCBreakfast just a few weeks agopic.twitter.com/20wNNrVMI5
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 4, 2022
Shane Warne's flipper was a potent, spectacular weapon.
Watch some of his best from Aussie soil here pic.twitter.com/0D5e6EQUOp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 4, 2022
A man of the people, Shane Warne calmed a hostile MCG crowd in this ODI against England in 1999. pic.twitter.com/Jm0TywyWTC
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 4, 2022
Andrew Strauss was an infamous Shane Warne victim on a number of occasions. This story is great pic.twitter.com/QhGPCzWVML
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) March 4, 2022
Shane Warne tells TV Viewers how he’s going to bowl Brendon McCullum - and then does it. pic.twitter.com/9Z9vicUM9i
— Tom Doyle (@doule_tom) March 4, 2022
Rest In Peace Warney.
