SRINAGAR — Shane Warne, Australian cricket legend, has reportedly passed away of a suspected attack. He was 52.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” Warne’s management have confirmed in a statement.

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

Warne’s management company in a brief statement released on Friday confirmed that he passed away in Koh Samui, Thailand, of a suspected heart attack.

Warne is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers to have played the game, having retired as Test cricket’s second most prolific wicket-taker.

For Australian cricket, this is the second devastating news in 24 hours with fellow great, Rod Marsh, also dying on Friday having suffered a major heart attack last week.

Affectionately known as ‘Warnie’, he made his Test debut at the SCG in 1992 and immediately gained international fame with the ball of century, one to remember for ages for cricket fans around the world.

Warne was arguably the greatest leg-spinner of all time, with a tally of 708 Test match wickets. He also took 293 One-Day International wickets and made more than 300 appearances for Australia across all formats.

Warne has also bagged more Ashes wickets than any other bowler in history.