Australian Cricket Legend Shane Warne, 52, Dies, Tributes Pour In From Around the World

• Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne passed away after suffering a suspected heart attack in Thailand
• Warne's management team confirmed Warne was found unresponsive at his luxurious Koh Samu country house
• The cricket world, including fans of the sport, cricket teams, pundits, former and current players, have paid tribute

The cricket world is still reeling over the unexpected passing of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne from a suspected heart attack at age 52.

The retired leg-spinner, widely considered one of the greatest players to grace the crease in the longest format, was found unresponsive at his Villa in Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, on Friday, AFP reported.

In a statement, Warne's management company said:

"It's with a heavy heart that we advise that Shane Warne died after suffering a suspected heart attack today [4 March]. Despite the best efforts of medical staff to resuscitate him, he could not be revived," the statement read.

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Warne's death came only hours after the passing of another Aussie great, Rod Marsh, 22 years the former's senior and who led an outstanding career as a wicketkeeper in the early 70s to mid-80s, was announced.

Warne was an integral part of the Baggy Greens' dominant Test team and, in 1999, helped his country to their ICC Cricket World Cup triumph.

Further to his exceptional pedigree, he was honoured as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Century, joining an all-star cast of greats knighted for their service to the gentleman's game, including Donald Bradman, Garry Sobers, John Hobbs and Vivian Richards.

The sportsman's family have expressed devastation at his untimely death, Mirror UK reported. Later pursuing television commentary as an expert pundit after retiring from all forms of cricket, the bowler also had a stint in coaching and rubbed his genius off to leg-spinners of the modern era by working closely with them.

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Global game mourns Warne

Tributes continue to pour in from around the world as fans, pundits, past and present cricketers, and the Australian national cricket team remembers Warne for his contribution to the global game.

Sports Brief takes a look at some of the impassioned reactions to the news below.

@ManasRout1996 wrote:

"Shocked to know about the passing away of great Australian cricketer, Shane Warne. My heart goes out to his friends, family and fans across the world."

@samirkochhar said:

"RIP Legend. There will be no one who will spin a cricket ball the way he did. Feel very fortunate to have seen the great man In action during the IPL early seasons.. he lifted the trophy in year 1 for the Royals."

@yuzi_chahal added:

"Can feel my hands shaking as I type this out. The reason behind my opting for bowling leg-spin. My inspiration, my idol since childhood. RIP LEGEND."

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Gary Kirsten expresses interest in England Test team coaching role

Elsewhere, Sports Brief previously reported that legendary South African batsman Gary Kirsten has expressed English interest in coaching the English cricket team, but only the test squad.

The English test team are facing a whitewash series defeat in the Ashes against Australia and are currently seventh in the World Test Championship rankings.

Supersport reported that Kirsten would be keen to coach the English cricket team as long as he could only focus on red-ball cricket. The current coach of England, Chris Silverwood, finds himself in hot water as the test team go through a terrible run of form.