Thai police on Saturday ruled out foul play in the shock death of Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne, who died of a suspected heart attack while on holiday on the paradise island of Koh Samui aged just 52.
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The "King" of spin's death sparked a global outpouring of grief from prime ministers, rock stars and fellow players, an acknowledgement that the Melbourne native transcended his sport.
Warne – one of the greatest test cricketers of all time – was found unresponsive at his luxury villa at the Samujana resort on Friday evening.
He had reportedly been due to meet friends, who went in search of him when he failed to emerge from his quarters.
"Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," a statement from his management company said.
His body was brought to the Thai International Hospital Samui at around 6:00 pm local time (1100 GMT).
"No foul play was suspected at the scene based on our investigation," Thai police told AFP.
Rod Marsh and Shane Warne.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) March 4, 2022
Two greats of Australian cricket gone within hours of each other.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/71kMKUUPNd
As Australia awoke to the news on Saturday, fans laid flowers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where there is a statue in Warne's honour.
Among the other offerings were a can of beer, a packet of cigarettes and a meat pie – a nod to Warne's famously hard-charging lifestyle and unathletic diet.
So beloved was Warne in his native Melbourne that the state government said the Great Southern Stand at the MCG will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Warne "one of our nation's greatest characters" and announced he would receive a full state funeral.
In a touching tribute, Morrison praised him as an inspiration to backyard cricketers across the country and someone who lit up each Australian summer.
"His achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the game he loved. But Shane was more than this to Australians," Morrison said.
Current players – who have led emotional tributes to their childhood hero – took to the field for the second day of a test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, with both sides observing a minute's silence and sporting black armbands.
SPIN PIONEER
Credited with reviving the art of leg-spin, Warne was part of a dominant Australian test team in the 1990s and 2000s and helped his country win the 1999 limited-overs World Cup.
A larger-than-life character, his tally of 708 test wickets has been surpassed only by fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan
Australian captain Pat Cummins said he was "a hero" to the current generation of cricketers.
"The loss that we are all trying to wrap our heads around is huge," he said in a video message.
"The game was never the same after Warnie emerged, and the game will never be the same after his passing"
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 4, 2022
Pat Cummins pays tribute to Shane Warne ?? pic.twitter.com/p7CfgEDH4E
Warne's inestimable impact was reflected by his inclusion in a list of the Wisden Cricketers of the 20th Century, alongside Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Jack Hobbs and Viv Richards.
West Indian great Richards said he was "shocked to the core".
"There are no words to describe what I feel right now," he tweeted.
Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true...
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) March 4, 2022
Rest In Peace, @ShaneWarne. There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket. pic.twitter.com/uZdEdNz0x9
Bursting onto the scene as a brash young player with a shock of blond hair, Warne became almost as well known for a colourful life away from cricket as he was for his exploits on the field.
Both he and Australia teammate Mark Waugh were fined for accepting money from a bookmaker and Warne was suspended for 12 months after failing a drugs test on the eve of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, having taken a diuretic.
The first bowler to take 700 test wickets with an assortment of leg-breaks, googlies, flippers and his own "zooters", Warne retired from Australia duty in 2007 following a 5-0 series win at home to arch-rivals England.
Legbreaks. Flippers. Batters bamboozled. Fans awestruck. World Cup, Ashes, IPL wins.
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 4, 2022
The wizard not only revived legspin, he became legspin. A bowling action imitated by the world over.
Thanks for all the memories. The cricket world will miss you terribly, Shane Warne ?? pic.twitter.com/LZcQGLgYx2
He played 145 tests in total over a 15-year career, taking 708 wickets, and was also a useful lower-order batsman, with a highest test score of 99.
In addition to his international exploits, Warne also enjoyed a successful career with his Australian state side Victoria and English county team Hampshire.
'AN HONOUR'
Following his international retirement, Warne continued to star on the Twenty20 franchise circuit, appearing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and his home town Melbourne Stars in Australia's Big Bash League.
He subsequently became a highly regarded television commentator and pundit, renowned for his forthright opinions, and was involved with coaching, working individually with current-day legspinners.
Warne was divorced from wife Simone Callahan, with whom he had three children. He also had a high-profile relationship with British actress Liz Hurley.
India batting great Sachin Tendulkar wrote on Twitter of his ex-rival: "Shocked, stunned & miserable... Will miss you Warnie. There was never a dull moment with you around."
Shocked, stunned & miserable…
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 4, 2022
Will miss you Warnie. There was never a dull moment with you around, on or off the field. Will always treasure our on field duels & off field banter. You always had a special place for India & Indians had a special place for you.
Gone too young! pic.twitter.com/219zIomwjB
Former Australia teammate Adam Gilchrist said he was "numb" and his death also attracted the attention of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, a big cricket fan, who said he was "so saddened".
"He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever," said Jagger, while fellow superstar singer Ed Sheeran called him "such an amazing friend".
I’m so saddened by the sudden death of Shane Warne. He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever. pic.twitter.com/ZW76EbS6GB
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 4, 2022
"I'll bloody miss you mate", Sheeran said, with Australian Hollywood royalty Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman also paying tribute.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "totally shocked", hailing Warne as "a cricketing genius and one of the nicest guys you could meet, who also did a lot to help disadvantaged kids into sport".
Totally shocked and saddened to hear about Shane Warne - a cricketing genius and one of the nicest guys you could meet, who also did a lot to help disadvantaged kids into sport. pic.twitter.com/EO3K6Ipwh6
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 4, 2022
?? "His legacy has been unparalleled in the history of spin bowling."
— ICC (@ICC) March 4, 2022
ICC Hall of Fame inductee Shane Warne in the words of the cricketing world. pic.twitter.com/KC5OsiuaXs
SHANE WARNE FACTFILE
Full name: Shane Keith Warne
Born: September 13, 1969 in Melbourne
Died: March 4, 2022 in Koh Samui, Thailand
Major teams: Australia, Victoria, Rajasthan Royals, Hampshire, Melbourne Stars
Bowling style: Right-arm leg-break
Test debut: v India, Sydney, January 1992
Last test: v England, Sydney, January 2007
Test record: 145 matches, 708 wickets, 25.41 average
One-day record: 194 matches, 293 wickets, 25.73 average
WARNE'S ACHIEVEMENTS:
- In 2000 selected as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, the only specialist bowler selected in the quintet
- Leading wicket-taker in tests before being overtaken by Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka
- Only second bowler after Muralitharan to take combined 1 000 wickets in tests and ODIs
- Five-wicket hauls in a test innings: 37
- Ten-wicket hauls in a test: 10
- Best test bowling: 8-71 v England, Brisbane, November 1994
- Test hat-tricks: (1) v England, Melbourne, December 1994
- Highest test score: 99 v New Zealand, Perth, November 2001
- Test catches: 125
- Test man-of-the-match awards: 17
- Test wickets in a calendar year: 96-record (2005), 72 (1993), 70 (2004), 68 (1997), 67 (2002)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all-time.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 4, 2022
Here is Shane Warne's incredible record. pic.twitter.com/PCro6Agps8