Joe Root lifts lid on 'shocked' England dressing room's reaction to Shane Warne death

England ’s players were ‘shocked’ at the news of Shane Warne’s passing at the age of just 52.

A minute’s silence was held at the ground during their warm-up match in Antigua in memory of Warne, with skipper Joe Root leading the tributes.

Players such as Ben Stokes, who worked alongside Warne at the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, were visibly shaken by the news as the cricketing world came to terms with his sudden death.

“It's shocked us all in the dressing room,” said Root. “Condolences to his loved ones and his family and friends.

“We had just started the game and it filtered through the dressing room. It's been quite a quiet dressing room off the back of it. It's hit everyone quite hard if I'm being brutally honest.

Warne died aged just 52 (X80028)

“I didn't get a chance to play against him, not even in practice but I did get a chance to sit down and talk cricket with him and I'll fondly remember that.

“We had two or three hours and his energy for the game, his love and compassion for the sport and just wanting to see it played at the peak of its powers was evident to see. He really loved the game of cricket.

“Anyone that you speak to says how formidable he was to play against, not just with his skill level and how he played the game but he did it in the right way.

“I'd have been 14 when the 2005 Ashes was on, in many ways that series was a massive influence on my career.

The England team paid tribute to Warne as they stood for a moment of silence during a tour match in Antigua (GETTY/ Gareth Copley)

“The way he captured the nation with his phenomenal performances were the sort of things that made you want to get into the game and play at the highest level.”

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins had just finished day one of his team’s Test against Pakistan when he reacted to the news.

“Warnie was an all-time great,” said Cummins. “A once in a century type of cricketer. and his record will live on forever. We all grew up watching Warnie, idolising him, we all had posters on our wall, had his earrings.

"We loved so much his showmanship, his charisma, his tactics. He just willed himself and his team to win games for Australia. Above all else, his incredible skill as a leg-spinner. Rest in peace, King.”