Australian cricket legend Shane Warne passes away at 52

Australian spin legend has died in Thailand, his management tells Australian media in a statement

Legendary Australian spin bowler Shane Warne died on Friday at the age of 52. Warne’s management released a brief statement to Australian media that he passed away in Koh Samui, Thailand, of 'a suspected heart attack.'

According to 'foxsports.com.au', Warne's management released a brief statement that Warne passed away in Thailand and the reason could be a suspected heart attack.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," Warne's management in a statement said to the Australian media. 

"The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course."

The news is the second devastating blow for Australian cricket within 24 hours with fellow great, Rod Marsh, also dying on Friday having suffered a major heart attack last week.

Warne, who made his cricket debut, played 145 Tests for Australia and picked up 708 wickets. In his 194 ODI appearances, Warne pared 293 scalps.

Born on September 13, 1969, Warne had retired from all formats of cricket in July 2013. He was regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket.

Warne's stellar international career spanned across 15 years and saw him take 708 Test wickets — the most ever for an Australian, and the second-most of all time behind only Muttiah Muralitharan. He was inducted in ICC Hall of Fame in 2013.

In 1994, he became the first player in more than 90 years to take a hat-trick in the Ashes in a match against England in Melbourne. He was also named as one of Wisden’s five best players of the 20th century. 

Warne was banned for 12 months after joining the team for the 2003 World Cup after he failed a drugs test. 

Warne, in 2005, took 40 wickets in the Ashes series, finishing the year with 96 wickets, breaking Lillee’s world record of 85 in a calendar year.

He separated from his wife Simone in the year after media reported about his adultery.

He reached a 700 wicket milestone in his penultimate test, clinching his 708th in the final test that sealed a 5-0 for Australia.

In the same year, he also became the first player to reach 600 test wickets.

Warne was also the captain of the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals in 2008 and led the team to the first IPL title.

In his final game as a professional cricketer, he picked up the wicket of Rohit Sharma, leading the Rajasthan Royals to a a10-wicket victory in his final game.

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.

After retiring from international cricket, Warne added to his legend by doubling up as captain and coach of IPL team Rajasthan Royals' remarkable title triumph in the event's 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.

Warne has passed away on a day when Australian cricket was in mourning after the death of wickeeping legend Rod Marsh.

He had condoled his demise in a tweet this morning.

"Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed. He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate," the legend had posted.