Shane Warne: Cricket mourns loss of Australia legend

Cricket is today mourning the loss of one of its greatest global stars with the passing of Australian legend Shane Warne at the age of 52.

Warne’s skill and aura earned him a then record 708 Test wickets when he retired in 2007 and the status of the greatest leg-spinner to have played the game.

He won seven Men’s Ashes series and two Men’s World Cups but it was his ability to conjure moments of genius that will live longest in the memory.

Those moments were often reserved for English soil from his ‘Ball of The Century’ at Old Trafford during the 1993 Ashes to his mesmerising spell in the 1999 World Cup semi-final against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Warne was captain of Hampshire where he played a central role in developing young talent and was an innovative thinker who embraced coaching the men’s London Spirit team in the first The Hundred competition last summer.

Tom Harrison, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is shattering news. Shane was more than one of the game’s all-time greats, he was someone who deeply cared about the sport and wanted everyone to love cricket the way he did.

“His mesmerising skill, extraordinary self-belief and confidence made him someone you just had to watch whenever he had the ball in his hand.

“After his playing days he became a revered mentor to so many young players with his unique ability to pass on his deep knowledge of the game.

“Shane inspired so many people all over the world to play cricket and to bowl leg-spin. It is impossible to comprehend the void he leaves behind. He was universally respected and widely loved.

“The ECB sends its heartfelt condolences to Shane’s family and his many close friends around the world as we all try to comprehend shocking news.”