Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne has passed away suddenly, aged 52.
It is believed the iconic spin bowler suffered a heart attack while in Thailand.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff he could not be revived,” Warne’s management confirmed in a statement.
ROLLING COVERAGE: Live updates as tributes pour in from around the world
READ MORE: How Warney defined a generation
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
Immediately, tributes have begun to pour in for the cricket royalty.
The news of Warne’s passing comes just hours after the death of Rod Marsh – Australia’s wicket-keeping mainstay in the 1970s and early 1980s.
“Two legends of our game have left us too soon,” wrote David Warner.
“I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just can not believe it. RIP, you will both be missed.”
Born on the September 13, 1969, Warne was an immediate success in international cricket when he debuted in the early 90s, and was catapulted to super stardom after his ‘Ball of the Century’ to dismiss Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes.
“Cannot believe it. One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more,” Virender Sehwag said.
“Life is very fragile, but this is very difficult to fathom. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans all around the world.”
Warne took 708 Test wickets in a glittering career, in which many consider him to be the best bowler of all-time.
On top of his brilliance in Test cricket, he also took nearly 300 ODI wickets and was part of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad in 1999.
He was inducted into the Cricket Australia Hall of Fame in 2012 and the ICC Hall of Fame the following year.
He has become a mainstay on commentary teams since his retirement from international cricket in 2007.
“Just heard the devastating news about legendary Shane Warne passing away,” Shoaib Akhtar said.
“No words to describe how shocked and sad I am. What a legend. What a man. What a cricketer.”
“Sometimes it’s difficult to remember people who you idolize are human,” wrote Carlos Brathwaite.
“It’s impossible to think they’ll leave us. Such a young age with so much more to give to our game. This is a big loss to the cricketing world.”
English actor Stephen Fry said he was “heartbroken to wake to news”
“Heart was what he was all about; a huge heart and, of course, matchlessly dazzling skill with a cricket ball. He single-handedly (wristedly) put the art of spin back where it belonged – at the top of cricket. A true great,” he wrote.
Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the