For the sake of convenience, Warne is labelled a cricketer, a leg-spinner specifically. He was that, of course. But he was a lot more than that. He was an entertainer. A showman. A compelling force of nature, irresistible and impossible to ignore. A wizard, a magician, a genius with the cricket ball in his right hand and even more so when it left the hand, cutting wicked arcs through the air and homing in on hapless, crease-tied, mind-frozen batsmen.
Click here to read R Kaushik’s tribute to the late Aussie spin legend
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces state funeral for Shane Warne, hails spin legend as “one of nation’s greatest characters”.
“His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all,” said Morrison.
‘Junior’ remembers Warnie as an “ultimate entertainer on and off the field”
https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/shane-warne-dies-at-52-australian-cricket-legend-highest-wicket-taker-in-test-cricket-live-news-updates-10430381.html
Shane Warne’s popularity transcended sport. Here’s Mick Jagger paying tribute
I’m so saddened by the sudden death of Shane Warne. He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever. pic.twitter.com/ZW76EbS6GB
“There are not many cricketers who transcend their sport. Warne is one of them, and not just in Australia. He is one of those athletes who is part of our shared zeitgeist. His image instantly recognisable, his feats endlessly documented.”
Peter Miller pays tribute to ‘The King’. Click here to read his piece
“The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie” — Adam Gilchrist
Numb. The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie. Best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work. Have often felt a tad selfish, that Heals and I pretty much exclusively are the only ones who had that thrill and pleasure at Test level. Rip Warnie.??
Warne ‘a hero’ to current Australia team, says captain Cummins
“So many guys in this team and squad still hold him as a hero,” he said in a video message released to media Friday night.
“The loss that we are all trying to wrap our heads around is huge. The game was never the same after Warnie emerged, and the game will never be the same after his passing.”
The Australians are playing in Pakistan for the first time since 1998, having declined to tour previously because of security issues.
Pakistan were 245 for one at the close of play on the first day of the opening Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Via AFP
Brian Lara of the West Indies, another to have crossed swords with Warne in his prime, said he was speechless.
? And speechless at the moment. I literally don’t know how to sum up this situation. My friend is gone!!
We have lost one of the Greatest Sportsmen of all time!!
My condolences goes out to his family.
RIP Warnie!! You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/sQOrL9dIyM
“He was the king of spin & a legend of the game who’s gone way before his time.” former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh tweeted
It’s a sad day for world cricket. First the news of Rodney Marsh & now Shane Warne ? Heartbreaking! I have fond memories of playing with Warne. He was the king of spin & a legend of the game who’s gone way before his time. RIP. You will be missed ?? my condolences to his family
“One of the greatest of all time,” Tweeted the ECB
One of the greatest of all-time.
A legend. A genius.
You changed Cricket.
RIP Shane Warne ? pic.twitter.com/YX91zmssoT