Shane Warne, Australia cricket legend, passes away at 52

Australia cricket legend Shane Warne passed away on Friday due to "suspected heart attack", reported Fox Sports. The spin bowler was 52 years of age. 

Warne is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers to have played the game, having retired as Test cricket’s second most prolific wicket-taker.

Fox said that Warne's management had released a brief statement that he passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement said.

''The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.'' An iconic name in international cricket, Warne, since making his debut in 1992, played 145 Tests for Australia, picking up 708 wickets. In his 194 ODI appearances, Warne Pared 293 scalps.

Earlier today, Warne had paid his tributes to Rod Marsh, former Australia wicketkeeper, who died aged 74, following a heart attack last week in Queensland.

"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," Warne's last tweet from his handle read.

Cricket fraternity, other personalities took to Twitter to offer their condolences for Warne's sudden demise. 

Warne is regarded as one of the finest leg-spin bowlers of all time after a career in which he took 708 test wickets in a test career which span from 1992 to 2007.

He later played in the Indian Premier League and other Twenty20 competitions before retiring from all international cricket in 2013 but continued to be involved in the game as a broadcaster.

Warne was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 1994 Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. He was the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 1997 (Notional Winner).

In 2000, he was selected by a panel of cricket experts as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, the only specialist bowler selected in the quintet, and the only one still playing at the time. He officially retired from all formats of cricket in July 2013.

Also read: Spin legend Shane Warne passes away: Cricket fraternity in shock, pays tribute