Shane Warne: Sheffield's Michael Vaughan in heartbreaking three-word tribute after passing of Australian legend

Michael Vaughan with Shane Warne. Former Australia cricketer Shane Warne has died at the age of 52, his management company MPC Entertainment has announced in a statement

Warne – a larger-than-life character whose 708 Test wickets has only been surpassed by contemporary rival and fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan – could not be revived after being found unresponsive in his Thailand villa.

“It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand today, Friday 4 March,” a statement from his management company read.

The statement added: “Shane was found unresponsive in his Villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived.

“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”

Warne – who was the joint-leading wicket-taker as Australia won the 1999 World Cup and finished with 293 one-day dismissals in 194 matches – brought an illustrious 15-year international career to an end in 2007.

Named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, alongside Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Viv Richards, Warne’s impact on the game is immediately apparent.

His leg breaks, googlies, flippers and sliders bamboozled many accomplished batters and England were often in his crosshairs. He took 195 wickets at 23.25 with 11 five-fors and four 10-wicket match hauls against the old rivals.

But there was also an affinity with England, with Warne representing Hampshire with distinction.

Sheffield’s former England captain Michael Vaughan played against Warne and worked alongside him in the commentary box and the pair were close friends.

Posting on twitter, alongside a broken heart emoji, Vaughan simply said: “Love ya king …”

The England men’s team are currently in the Caribbean, preparing for a three-Test series against the West Indies.

Ahead of the final day of their warm-up against a Cricket West Indies President’s XI, the players and umpires stood in the middle for a minute’s silence in honour of Warne.

A tribute from the team on twitter said: “One of the greatest of all-time. A legend. A genius. You changed Cricket. RIP Shane Warne.”