Australian cricket legend, Shane Warne, was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Thailand following a suspected heart attack. Video / AP / Getty / NZ Herald
Kiwi friends and opponents of Shane Warne have remembered the Australian legend not only for his bowling talents but his "generous" personality off the pitch.
The sporting community is mourning Warne, regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, after he died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand aged 52.
It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand...
Many New Zealand athletes who knew him said they were shocked to learn of his death and will cherish their memories with him.
"I feel just really sorry for the whole family. It's such a shock and so sudden, it's going to take a while for everyone to process," golfer Ryan Fox told the Herald.
"He was obviously the legend of cricket, but off the cricket pitch just one of the nicest guys you could meet, and it was a pleasure getting to know him over the last few years."
The pair played golf together for a number of years. Fox fondly remembers his time with Warne at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland last year.
Such a shock to wake up to the news of Warnies passing this morning. A legend of the game of cricket and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Was a pleasure to get to know him the last few years and I will always cherish the memories we had. RIP Warnie #ripking#gonetoosoonpic.twitter.com/imRyau2hgC
"Once he finished up with cricket he loved the competitive side of golf."
Fox said Warne's passion for cricket and golf "is almost unmatched" and he often would receive messages of support from his friend.
"To count someone like that as a friend, who was an absolute idol of mine growing up, was very cool.
"I just wish his family all the best through the tough time and I know not just the cricket world, but a lot of the world, is in mourning."
Former Black Caps batsman Craig McMillan, who was dismissed by Warne in his first test innings, relished both their battles as opponents and friendship off the field.
McMillan recalled his test debut in 1997 as being "as daunting as it gets" but managed to make 54 at the Gabba before Warne trapped him in front.
"I was plumb," McMillan told Newstalk ZB. "I had just run down and banged him back over his head for my 50, and might've been thinking things were getting a little bit easier and I was on my way.
"Then he produced that flipper, one of his famous deliveries, and I couldn't get my front pad out the way. We had a lot of battles over the years but most of them were won by the great Shane Warne."
The Australian legend was not afraid to offer the Kiwi some advice, telling McMillan to remain aggressive when facing top spinners, and he also gave a couple of Black Caps a warm welcome on a subsequent tour across the Tasman.
"I remember when we toured Australia in the early 2000s, I got a call from him and he invited myself and Dan Vettori over to his house in Brighton in Melbourne," McMillan said. "We were supposed to be playing a one-day international a couple of days later but he said, 'Come on over, we've got a cards night going'.
"We had an outstanding night, just talking cricket and playing cards for a number of hours and just having a real laugh. It was just one of those nights that you'll never forget."
Former Black Cap and commentator Simon Doull told Newstalk ZB the memories he shared with Warne came flooding back when he learned of his friend's death.
"The great times, the battles on the field, the battles on the golf course that we had, the nights in a pub in London, they all ... spring back to mind."
RIP the GOAT. 😢💔Entertaining was his game and he lived for every minute. Privileged to have played against, worked with and been a mate of. #Warnie
Doull said Warne was "the greatest spinner the game has ever seen, the most flamboyant character the game has even seen" and he also brought huge insight to the commentary box and to his coaching.
"Around the world, whether you're a Kiwi or an Englishman or West Indian, you admired what he was able to do, even though you hated it when he was doing it against your team."
"An absolutely legend both on and off the field. It was a privilege to have shared a changing room with one of my cricket idols," former Black Caps captain Ross Taylor posted on Twitter.
Chris Cairns praised Warne for being the "ultimate competitor" and a man generous with his time.
Shock and disbelief with the news of Shane Warne’s passing overnight. He was the ultimate competitor on the field, but off it a man that was so generous with his time. We had so many great battles and it was a privilege to play in the same era as this champion. #rip 😞 pic.twitter.com/S3EPMzqrLM
Gutted to hear the new of @ShaneWarne. An absolutely legend both on and off the field. It was a privilege to have shared a changing room with one of my cricket idols. #RIPKing
"Rest easy Shane Warne. One of the true all time greats of the game. Hard to comprehend that an icon has passed so soon. A hero to a generation of cricket fans. So incredibly sad," NZME's D'Arcy Waldegrave tweeted.
Shane Warne signs autographs at a charity cricket match at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in 2011. Photo / Ross Setford
"An absolute icon. I remember being glued to the screen every time he bowled, larger than life off pitch, loved every day as if it was his last and sadly that day has come way too soon," NZME's Matt Brown wrote on Twitter.
"The biggest criticism you hear about cricket is that it's boring. When Warney had the ball, it never was," long time sports writer and commentator Jason Pine added.
Shane Warne was the single most influential cricketer of my lifetime. It’s stunning to think of such a larger than life character being dead at just 52. He didn’t live long enough but he certainly lived every day to the full.
Icon. One of my fondest cricket memories was getting Warney’s autograph and him being really friendly and nice to us kids while fielding on the Basin boundary. RIP. pic.twitter.com/q28J3kbUTN
