Australian Cricket Legend Shane Warne Dies at 52. Kevin Pietersen Sums Up Everyone’s Shock
Australian cricket star Shane Warne has tragically passed away at the age of 52. He died from a suspected heart attack whilst on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. South Africa’s Kevin Pietersen’s tweet sums up the shock felt by so many by the sportsman’s sudden death. (See below.) Shane’s management team said in […]
Australian cricket star Shane Warne has tragically passed away at the age of 52. He died from a suspected heart attack whilst on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. South Africa’s Kevin Pietersen’s tweet sums up the shock felt by so many by the sportsman’s sudden death. (See below.)
Shane’s management team said in a statement: “It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday March 4. Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived. The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
Also watch: Remembering Shane Warne – the tribute now streaming on Showmax if you’re in SA »
Just 12 hours ago (this morning in Thailand), Shane sent what was to be his last tweet, ironically about the death of another Australian cricket legend – 72-year-old wicketkeeper Rod Marsh. Shane wrote: “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 same could be said of Shane, a sportsman whom South Africans loved to hate, but who gave so much and cared so deeply. Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “Shane was one of the most talented and charismatic cricketers we have ever witnessed. He loved cricket, had an extraordinarily astute understanding of the game and his influence and legacy will last for as long as it is played.”
Based between London and Melbourne, Shane described himself on Twitter as “Ex sportsman, now play a bit of poker around the world plus tv commentary & a lover of 80’s music ❤️ ”
Yesterday, Shane posted his second to last tweet – a retweet of a post from South African Schalk Burger:
Just a few days ago (end February), Shane said he was on a mission to get fitter and healthier, saying: “Operation shred has started (10 days in) & the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago ! Let’s go ???? #healthy #fitness #feelgoodfriday”
How did Shane Warne die?
According to Thai Police, Shane was staying in a private villa with three friends. They had an afternoon nap – each in separate rooms – and were then meeting for an early dinner. One of the friends went to check on Shane when he didn’t come out of his room.
Chatchawin Nakmusik, a p9lice officer on Koh Samui, told Reuters: “The friend did CPR on him and called an ambulance.
“An emergency response unit then arrived and did another CPR for 10-20 minutes. Then an ambulance from the Thai International Hospital arrived and took him there. They did CPR for five minutes, and then he died.”
Nakmusik said he was then taken to another hospital for an autopsy; and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Shane’s love life
Despite his divorce from childhood sweetheart Simone Callahan in 2005, after ten years of marriage, the couple remained close (and were briefly reconciled in 2010). Earlier this year. – whilst promoting the documentary about him, ‘Shane’, which is on Prime Video – Shane spoke about the “soul-destroying moment” when he was taunted by rival cricket fans following the divorce, and the impact it had on his mental health.
He admitted: “Getting divorced was a difficult time in my life and for my children. And it was my fault. So I have to live with that for the rest of my life, it wasn’t easy.”
Shane leaves behind his three children with Simone – Brooke (23), Jackson (22) and Summer (20).
He told The Mirror in 2018 that he missed the love he and British actress Elizabeth Hurley had had (2010 – 2013), adding: “My years with Elizabeth were the happiest of my life. I wanted to be better with her.” The two were engaged, but split up before marrying.
Shane’s career
Two years after divorcing Simone, Shane retired from international cricket, but continued to play Twenty20 cricket until 2013.
Shane will be remembered for living big both on and off the field. He took the second most wickets in Test cricket, after Sri Lankan spinner Muthiah Muralidaran. During his career, he became one of the greatest sportsman of all time, taking 708 Test wickets in 145 matches.
According to Sky News, Shane won the 1999 50-over World Cup and claimed 293 dismissals in 194 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2004.
Tributes have poured from around the world, with former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag calling him “one of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool”. Fellow former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer said: “Whenever he came to the wicket, change came over the game of Cricket”.
Shane Warne and South Africans
South Africa’s own cricket legend (who played for England), and a close friend of Shane’s – Kevin Pietersen – led the tributes, summing up the shock so many feel right now, with this tweet:
Aussie cricket fan Nick Walters replied to Pietersen saying: “One of the most under rated moments of sportsmanship in Cricket was at the MCG when (Shane) took his 700th Test pole and you walked up to the Australian huddle and shook his hand and gave him a hug. Large respect to you.”
Cricket South Africa said: “A true competitor and an icon. RIP Shane Warne ❤️”
A true competitor and an icon.
RIP Shane Warne ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6RgOBVe2t8
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 4, 2022
Shane had a close relationship with SA. Watch this interview in which Warnie revealed that his favourite tour ever was to South Africa, and that “there’s something special about the South Africans”.
He didn’t love all South Africans though! In 2016, during “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here”, filmed in SA, he was forced to confront his biggest fear – spiders… but worse than that, a South African baboon spider named Britney. At the time, he said: “It’s the ultimate – you can’t test me with anything that’s harder. It’s the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do in my life.”
Shane cared about wildlife though. One of many things Shane was honoured to be involved in was working with Sir David Attenborough to make a difference to the planet. Last year he was appointed as the first ‘champion’ of the United Nations’ The Lion’s Share Fund. “I will do everything I can to help save our wildlife and habitat as this is crucial for the survival of all animals, so please help us in this fight,” he said.
In the last week, Shane had sent his thoughts to those in Ukraine, saying: “The entire world is with the people of Ukraine as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. The pictures are horrific and I can’t believe more is not being done to stop this. Sending lots of love to my Ukrainian mate @jksheva7 and his family ❤️”
"Whenever he came to the wicket, change came over the game of Cricket"
My mind just cannot accept that Shane Warne is no more. Gone too soon.. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends..RIP Warnie 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/YgfvY1WaS0
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 4, 2022
Operation shred has started (10 days in) & the goal by July is to get back to this shape from a few years ago ! Let’s go 💪🏻👏🏻 #heathy #fitness #feelgoodfriday pic.twitter.com/EokgT2Hyhz
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 28, 2022
Test captain Pat Cummins reacts to the shock news of Shane Warne's passing.
"Rest in peace, King." pic.twitter.com/yUOGHuKNei
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 4, 2022
WATCH One of the most famous moments of Shane Warne’s career (early days)
WATCH ‘Shane’ (The King of Spin) trailer
Shane hoped people would understand him better by watching this documentary (on Prime Video).
View this post on Instagram
A Little Known Fact – Shane Warne had different coloured eyes
In August 2012, Shane confirmed on Twitter: “For those of you who just tweeted me asking if I have 2 different coloured eyes – answer is yes I do !!!!”… and in the below recent Instagram post, it was evident:
View this post on Instagram
Shane’s gratitude for his career
Eight weeks ago, Shane wrote this message on Instagram: “30 years ago on this day way back in the 1991/92 season – I made my debut for Australia ! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have played for Oz, and with a great group of men too. We became the best side in the world for 15 years through hard work & sacrifice – but did it together – which was very very special. Great times, great memories and friendships made that will last forever. I love all sport & the joy it can bring to everyone involved ❤️❤️❤️”
Thank you Shane Warne and Rest in Peace…