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Tributes pour in for Shane Warne following his shock death, aged 52

Pat Cummins pays tribute to Shane Warne.

Australia and the cricket world are in shock after the sudden death of Shane Warne, one of the sport's greatest players.  

Warne, 52, died of a suspected heart attack while in Koh Samui, Thailand, in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

"Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," a statement from Warne's management said.

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

The cricket world and beyond reacts to the death of Shane Warne.

Named one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, Warne took 708 Test wickets for Australia, including 195 against England alone — the most of any player against a single team. 

Warne's death has been felt across the cricket world.

In Antigua, where England are playing a warm-up match on their tour of the West Indies, a minute's silence has been held in his honour.

Warne's death came one day after former Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh died.

Current Test opener David Warner paid tribute to both men on social media in the early hours of Saturday.

"I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad," Warner wrote. 

"I just can not believe it."

Steve Smith, Australia's Test vice-captain, also paid tribute to the men.  

Nathan Lyon pays tribute to Shane Warne on his Instagram story (Instagram: Nathan Lyon)

"Hard to fathom that we've lost 2 Australian legends within 24 hours," Smith wrote on Instagram.

Current Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon called Warne the greatest of all time on Instagram.

Lyon, who has taken more than 400 Test wickets for Australia, said he was lost for words after receiving the news. 

While news of Warne's death came in the early hours of Saturday morning, many around the world were quick to pay tribute to the giant personality. 

Sir Vivian Richards, who is one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Century, wrote of his disbelief at the loss of Australia's greatest bowler. 

"I am shocked to the core. This can't be true," Sir Vivian wrote.

The Australian men's cricket team began their tour of Pakistan on Friday in the first of three Test matches. 

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said Warne was an inspiration to all aspiring spin bowlers. 

"Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin," Azam wrote.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar posted a video to Twitter praising the man he called one of the game's greatest players. 

But some of the greatest praise came from England, a country that embraced Warne despite his punishment of the old enemy.

In a short statement, England Cricket called Warne "A legend. A genius".

Lord's Cricket Ground highlighted Warne's accomplishments at the venue, where he won the 1999 World Cup final and never lost a Test match.

"He will be remembered as one of the greats of our game," it wrote.

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said he would always treasure the battles he had with Warne on the field.

Tendulkar, considered by many to be the best batsman of his generation and one of the greatest ever, had many duels with Warne over more than a decade.

"You always had a special place for India & Indians had a special place for you," he wrote.

But the tributes for Warne came from far beyond cricket circles. 

Many fans swarmed to social media to pay tribute to the star, who retired from Test cricket in 2007.

Australian musician and founding member of The Wiggles, Anthony Field, called Warne a legend. 

"Very shocked to hear of the passing of Warnie. Rest In Peace, Legend."

Actor Magda Szubanski said she was "in complete shock".

Sharon Strzelecki, her beloved character on TV comedy Kath & Kim, married a Shane Warne impersonator, Wayne Shaun — a role played by Warne himself.

"I've woken in the middle of the night to this terrible terrible news," Szubanski wrote.

English actor and writer Stephen Fry said he was heartbroken by the news of Warne's death.

"He single-handedly (wristedly) put the art of spin back where it belonged — at the top of cricket," he wrote.

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