Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the nation is ‘in shock’ at the untimely passing of cricket great Shane Warne, as the Victorian government offered the legend’s family a state funeral.
The Australian cricket superstar turned commentator and businessman, and the greatest leg spinner in history, was found unconscious in a villa in the resort of Koh Samui earlier today.
Thai police said that Warne was staying in the villa with four friends, and when one of the group tried to wake Shane for food at around 5pm local time today he was found to be unresponsive.
‘The whole country would have woken up in shock today, it’s just terrible, Mr Morrison told 3AW in Melbourne.
‘He was one of those cricketers who changed the game globally, not just here in Australia.
‘And at such a young age, younger than me. That is a terrible shock to all those who knew and loved him.’
The state funeral is set to be held in Melbourne, with a date to be confirmed in consultation with the Warne family, Cricket Australia and the Victorian Government ‘to ensure it honours Shane’s passing and memory’.
‘Shane was one of our greatest cricketers of all time, one of only a few that could approach the extraordinary achievements of the great Don Bradman. His achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the game he loved,’ Morrison said.
‘But Shane was more than this to Australians. Shane was one of our nation’s greatest characters. His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all. Australians loved him. We all did.
Cricketing legend Sane Warne has died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 52
The iconic leg-spinner passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack, his management company said in a statement
The family of Shane Warne has been offered a state funeral for the Australian cricketing legend by Scott Morrison, following his sudden death from a suspected heart attack.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison posted a tribute to Shane Warne, expressing his shock at the cricket legend’s premature death at the age of 52
Fans begin to add tributes to the base of the statue of Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground
‘There was something magical that he brought to our summers. The bleached blonde hair, the almost casual way he moved to send down a delivery, and his engagement with the crowd. He was one of a kind.
Morrsion said Warne inspired many children around the world to try their hand at cricket.
‘He made it all look so easy. At some point, in most Australian backyards, we all tried to deliver a flipper,’ he explained.
‘As we heard as a commentator, behind the playfulness that we associated with Shane, there was a player who understood the strategies and intricacies of cricket as few others. A brilliance that will always be remembered alongside that of Bradman and Benaud.
‘There was also a generosity to so many people away from the cameras. With a smile and a g’day he’d bridge every gap.
‘Shane was his own man, following his own path. In those times when he could have been knocked down by the headlines, he got back up. He always did.
‘Shane was the “King of Spin” because there was none like him. The “ball of the century” will be talked about forever,’ Morrison said.
‘Our love and condolences go to Shane’s family and particularly his children Brooke, Jackson, and Summer.
‘We have lost one of Australia’s greatest cricketers and today we are bewildered by this sad and sudden loss.
An emotional Pat Cummins joined celebrities, sports stars, former teammates and politicians from around the world to pay tribute to the cricket legend on Saturday.
‘The game was never the same after Warnie emerged, and the game will never be the same after his passing,’ Cummins said in a video uploaded to Twitter. ‘Rest in peace, King.’
The Australian test captain looked down the camera with tear-filled eyes as he recalled fond memories of ‘Warnie’.
An emotional Pat Cummins has led tributes for Shane Warne after the legendary former Australian star’s death from a heart attack at the age of 52
‘Warnie was an all-time great, a once in a century type cricketer and his records will live on forever,’ he said.
‘We all grew up watching Warnie, idolising him. We loved so much about Warnie. His showmanship, his charisma, his tactics. The way he just wheeled himself and the team to win games for Australia.’
Mark Taylor thought Shane Warne’s ‘turbulent life’ would just keep rolling on forever.
But now, the former Australian captain is like the rest of his teammates: numbed at news of Warne’s death.
Fans begin to add floral tributes to the base of the statue of Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground
‘He has had a turbulent life but a very full life,’ Taylor told the Nine Network on Saturday.
‘He had been through all sorts of scandals. He mesmerised us with his bowling and his competitive nature on the field.
‘We have loved that real ocker side of Shane Warne. You just felt, I certainly did, he would go on forever. It is a huge shock for me and it is a huge shock for the cricketing world.’
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has offered Warne’s family a state funeral to honour the legendary cricketer.
‘Victoria has lost an icon. Australia has lost a legend. And the entire cricketing world is mourning the loss of the King,’ Mr Andrews said in a statement.
Warne’s mother Brigitte spoke briefly to the Herald Sun outside her home in Black Rock.
‘We’re just in shock… we’re ok,’ she said.
‘In the buffet of life, he ate well, but he also replenished… he gave it back in spades,’ Eddie McGuire, pictured outside the MCG, said of Warne
Melbourne identity and friend of Warne, Eddie McGuire, told 3AW that the Great Southern Stand at the MCG should possibly be renamed to honour Warne.
‘In the buffet of life, he ate well, but he also replenished… he gave it back in spades,’ McGuire said.
‘He got himself in some scrapes along the way but mainly through his giving nature.’
Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell repeatedly broke down talking about the passing of Warne on the Triple M Dead Set Legends radio show on Saturday morning.
‘He was a life-loving person. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more caring, loyal and generous person than him, Maxwell said.
Another of Warne’s Australian captains, Steve Waugh, said he had ‘so many memories and moments that will never be forgotten’ of the legspinner.
‘It was a privilege and a pleasure to play alongside you,’ Waugh posted on Instagram.
Glenn McGrath said he was ‘absolutely devastated’.
Like Taylor, he believed ‘nothing could ever happen to him’.
‘Warnie was larger than life … he lived more in his life than most people would live in 20,’ McGrath said.
‘He was the ultimate competitor. He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around and bring us to victory, which he did so many times.
‘I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment. Rest In Peace my good mate, there’ll never again be anyone like you.’
Mark Waugh described Warne as the ‘ultimate entertainer’ both on and off the field.
‘It’s just unfathomable to lose another great of our cricket family,’ Waugh posted on Twitter.
The Australian test captain looked down the camera with tear-filled eyes as he recalled fond memories of ‘Warnie’
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd took to Twitter to share his shock and heartbreak over the sudden and unexpected death.
‘I just can’t believe this. Larger than life. A living legend. No longer with us. Far too young,’ he wrote.
‘Both cricket and the country so much poorer for his passing. May you Rest In Peace Warnie. My deepest condolences to his family. The country mourns his passing.’
Former cricketer Mitchell Johnson described Warne as ‘the best Spin bowler I have ever seen.’
‘I am in complete shock. So said to hear the news of the passing of Shane Warne, the king, the best spin bowler I have ever seen.
‘Warnie made spin bowling cool, exciting and his skills were just phenomenal. An entertainer of the game, you will be missed mate.’
Legendary wicket-keeper Shane Watson said he was ‘numb’ after learning about the passing of his ‘mentor’.
‘The impact he had on the great game of cricket and everyone around it is immeasurable,’ he wrote. ‘Warnie, I am going to miss you so much. Thank you mate for being so bloody good to me.’
‘Kath and Kim’ star Magda Szubanski shared her grief over the legendary cricketer who made a guest appearance as her fiance on the hit TV show in 2007
Adam Gilchrist added: ‘The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie. Best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work.’
Darren Lehmann, a teammate of Warne who later became Australia’s coach, said he was devastated.
‘Shane was the most generous, fun-loving superstar of our game … he was always charismatic caring and true friend,’ Lehmann posted on Twitter.
Former Australia quick Brett Lee hailed Warne as the ‘rock star’ of cricket.
‘Can’t believe it. The greatest bowler to play the game ever! The RockStar of cricket ! Gone too soon,’ Lee posted on Twitter.
Cricket Australia added: ‘We are shocked and saddened by the passing of Shane Warne. A true cricketing genius. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans all across the world.’
‘Kath and Kim’ star Magda Szubanski shared her grief over the legendary cricketer who made a guest appearance as her fiance on the hit TV show in 2007.
‘I’ve woken in the middle of the night to this terrible news,’ she wrote. ‘I’m in complete shock. This is just too sad. Devastating.
‘Incredible to think that bright, cheeky spark has been snuffed out.’
ABC host Leigh Sales said Warne was at the top of her interview wishlist when she joined the public broadcaster.
‘Vale Warnie: a genius cricketer, a charismatic raconteur and one of the great, great Australian characters,’ she wrote. ‘The world will be less bright and interesting with him gone.’
Warne’s management released a brief statement on Friday saying that he passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack.
He is believed to have been in Ko Samui at the time of his death.
‘Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,’ the statement reads.
‘The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.’
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