Legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died of a suspected heart attack aged 52.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa [in Thailand] and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” Warne's management released a statement, says Fox Sports.
“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.
Affectionately known as ‘Warnie’ and adored by millions across the globe, Warne is considered by many as the greatest bowler to ever play the game.
Warne took 708 Test wickets, the second most of all time, in 145 matches across a stellar 15-year career, according to BBC.
He won the 1999 50-over World Cup and claimed 293 dismissals in 194 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2005.
After retiring from international cricket in 2007, he continued to play franchise Twenty20 cricket until 2013.