Sports world in shock at Warne's death

The sports world has been left in a state of shock by the news of the sudden death of the great Shane Keith Warne.

From modern cricketing greats like England's Ben Stokes to all-time legends of the game like Viv Richards, the overwhelming reaction was that the great bowler's death at the age of just 52 on Friday seemed unthinkable.

He was still such a larger-than-life character that his old foes on the field who became his great friends in the TV commentary box were left stupefied.

The news became public less than an hour after stumps on day one of Australia's first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi and social media platforms were immediately flooded with messages of shock and condolence from around the world.

"Warnie was an all-time great, a once in a century type cricketer, and his records will live on forever," captain Pat Cummins said from Australia's team hotel in Islamabad.

"We all grew up watching Warnie, idolising him, we all had posters on his wall, had his earrings.

"What we loved so much about Warnie was his showmanship, his charisma, his tactics, the way he willed himself and the team around him to will teams around him to win games for Australia, and above all else his incredible skills as a leg-spinner.

"There's so many guys in this team and squad who still hold him as a hero, their all-time favourite player.

"The game was never the same after Warnie emerged and the game will never be the same after his passing.

"Rest in peace, King."

Pakistan's Babar Azam, who's captaining his side against Australia in the current Test, said: "Find it hard to believe. 

"Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin. You'll forever be missed."

Mark Taylor thought Shane Warne's "turbulent life" would just keep rolling on forever.

But now, the former Australian captain is like the rest of his teammates: numbed at news of Warne's death.

"He has had a turbulent life but a very full life," Taylor told the Nine Network on Saturday.

"He had been through all sorts of scandals.

"He mesmerised us with his bowling and his competitive nature on the field.

"We have loved that real ocker side of Shane Warne.

"You just felt, I certainly did, he would go on forever.

"It is a huge shock for me and it is a huge shock for the cricketing world."

Warne, 52, died suddenly of a suspected heart attack while holidaying on the Thailand island of Koh Samui.

Another of Warne's Australian captains, Steve Waugh, said he had "so many memories and moments that will never be forgotten" of the leg-spinner.

"It was a privilege and a pleasure to play alongside you," Waugh posted on Instagram.

Glenn McGrath said he was "absolutely devastated".

Like Taylor, he believed "nothing could ever happen to him".

"Warnie was larger than life ... he lived more in his life than most people would live in 20," McGrath said.

"He was the ultimate competitor. He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around and bring us to victory, which he did so many times.

"I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment.

"Rest In Peace my good mate, there'll never again be anyone like you."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan and fellow Fox Cricket commentator said of Warne: "Everyone wanted to be around him but ultimately he was just a normal guy who could do incredible things.

"It just doesn't feel real to be talking about someone who once was an enemy on the pitch to one who became a great friend off it.

"Shane was the greatest ever cricketer but more than that his character lit up every dressing room, comm box, bar, golf club & friendship group. 

"His energy and positivity was beyond anyone I have ever known, he was loyal beyond loyal."

West Indian legend Richards, who, like Warne, was one Wisden's five cricketers of the century, said: "Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true... There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket."

India great Sachin Tendulkar, who alongside Brian Lara was the batsman that Warne felt was the best he'd bowled to, said simply: "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!"

Lara himself wrote on social media: "My friend is gone!! We have lost one of the Greatest Sportsmen of all time!! RIP Warnie!! You will be missed."

Another Indian batting legend Virat Kohli described Warne as the "goat" – greatest of all-time – saying: "Life is so fickle and unpredictable. 

"I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the cricket ball."

India's current captain Rohit Sharma, who had been leading his team in action in a Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali, tweeted: "I'm truly lost for words here, this is extremely sad. An absolute legend and champion of our game has left us."

His fellow Indian star, paceman Jasprit Bumrah said he was "shocked beyond words ... A legend of our game, an icon, and someone who revolutionised spin bowling."

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi felt cricket "has lost what I consider a university of leg-spin bowling today."

England allrounder Stokes wrote on Instagram that it "was an honour to know and work with" Warne. 

"This man is a LEGEND," he added.

The England men's team, who are in the Caribbean preparing for a three-Test series against the West Indies, stood for a minute's silence in honour of Warne before their match in Antigua.

Mike Gatting, the victim of Warne's 'Ball of the Century' at Old Trafford in the 1993 Ashes, called his old Ashes tormentor "the number one bowler ever" in Test history.

"There have been a lot of great cricketers, great spinners and great leg-spinners but Warnie will always be certainly, from my point of view, the number one," said the former England captain.

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