News24.com | BREAKING | Australian great Shane Warne dies

Australian legend Shane Warne (Getty Images)

Australia great Shane Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest Test players of all time, has died of a suspected heart attack, according to a statement from his management company.

He was 52.

Warne’s management said the retired leg-spinner died in Koh Samui, Thailand.

“It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” the statement read.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his Villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” it added.

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

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The announcement came just hours after the death was announced of fellow Australian great Rod Marsh, one of cricket’s outstanding wicketkeepers.

Warne, credited with reviving the art of leg-spin, was part of a dominant Australian Test team and helped his country win the 1999 World Cup.

Named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, alongside Donald Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Jack Hobbs and Viv Richards, Warne’s impact was enormous.

The bowler became as well known for a colourful life away from cricket as he was for his exploits on the field.

Both he and Australia team-mate 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 following a 5-0 series win at home to arch-rivals England during the 2006/07 Ashes.

In addition to his international exploits, Warne also enjoyed a successful career with his Australian state side Victoria.

WATCH | Shane Warne’s famous ‘ball of the century’ at 1993 Ashes

And while his private life effectively ruled him out of captaining Australia, for all his acknowledged tactical acumen, Warne did skipper English county Hampshire, where he helped nurture gifted England batsman Kevin Pietersen.

Warne continued to star on the T20 franchise circuit, starring for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and his home town Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League before retiring from playing altogether.

He subsequently became a highly regarded television commentator and pundit, renowned for his forthright opinions, who also did some team coaching and worked individually with current-day leg-spinners.

Warne was divorced from wife Simone, with whom he had three children.