Cricket Legend and Poker Fan Shane Warne Passes Away at 52

08:08
09 Mar

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has passed away from a suspected heart attack aged 52. The “King of Spin” was a massive poker fan and former 888Poker brand ambassador who still regularly played events around the world.

Legend

Shane Warne is for many the best spin bowler who ever lived. His haul of 708 test wickets was a record for any cricket bowler, fast or spin, until Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan broke it in 2007. Even today, after 15 years of retirement, Warne’s second place on the all-time list still looks secure.

We are heartbroken to hear of the untimely passing of Aussie cricket legend, and ex 888 ambassador, Shane Warne. His energy, inspiring presence and passion for getting things right remains with us. Our sincere condolences to his kids, family and other loved ones. RIP legend. pic.twitter.com/Ar7F8s3ltQ

— 888poker (@888poker) March 4, 2022

Retirement looked to be treating the Australian very well. Fleeting appearances in the commentary booth kept him close to the sport that he loved with plenty of free time to live life to the full as he was famous for.

Warne was on holiday in the tropical paradise of Koh Samui, Thailand when he was found unresponsive. Efforts to perform CPR for 20 minutes were in vain and the 52-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at the Thai International Hospital in Chaweng.

I really cannot believe the sad news about the passing of @ShaneWarne – it was only a few days ago that we had a conversation about having a poker game soon. He will go down as a sporting legend of the century. He also did a lot for raising the profile of poker worldwide.

— Tony G (@TonyGuoga) March 4, 2022

A press statement read:

“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.” James Erskine, Warne’s manager told Melbourne’s The Age newspaper:

“He realised he wasn’t well. He (Andrew) tried to give mouth-to-mouth, tried to resuscitate him, he had no heartbeat, the ambulance came 20 minutes later and an hour and a bit later he was pronounced dead.”

Erskine added that Warne hadn’t been partying recently and his reputation for such was undeserved.

“He was on holiday, having a lie down, siesta, he hadn’t been drinking, he’d been on this diet to lose weight. He didn’t drink much. Everyone thinks he’s a big boozer but he’s not a big boozer at all. I sent him a crate of wine, 10 years later it’s still there. He doesn’t drink, never took drugs, ever. He hated drugs so nothing untoward.”

Poker

Retirement from cricket must have left a considerable void in Warne’s life and poker was the perfect replacement.

Already in place as an 888Poker brand ambassador from 2008, Warne continued with the company until 2015, two years post retirement from cricket. Even after they parted ways, Warne was still a regular at the Aussie Millions and the WSOP.

Warne’s live tournament record ran from 2009 through to January 2022 with earnings totalling $161,325. He was also said to be making plans to play in some events after his holiday in Thailand was over.

The World Poker Tour is saddened by the passing of cricket legend and poker ambassador Shane Warne. His love and passion for the game was obvious to everybody who played with him. Our thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/zzwgCkFEA9

— World Poker Tour (@WPT) March 4, 2022

Judging by the comments being posted on social media by poker fans, Shane Warne will be remembered fondly and sadly missed by all who met him.

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