Thai police said on Saturday that foul play was not suspected in the shock death of Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne, who died at the age of just 52 from a suspected heart attack while on vacation on the paradise island of Koh Samui.
Police said late Saturday he would be taken from Koh Samui to nearby Surat Thani, where he would be taken to Australia for an autopsy.
The “king” of spin’s death sparked a global outburst of mourning from prime ministers, rock stars and fellow players, acknowledging that the Melbourne native had upped his game.
Warne – one of the greatest Test cricketers of all time – was found unresponsive at his luxury villa at Samujana resort on Friday evening after failing to meet friends.
“Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he could not be revived,” a statement from his management company said.
His body was brought to the Thai International Hospital Samui at around 6:00 am (1100 GMT).
“Based on our investigation, there is no suspicion of any disturbance at the scene,” Thai police told AFP.
In an evening press conference, local police chief Yuthana Sirisombat said relatives had “already coordinated with the Australian embassy so that, right after the autopsy, they can take her body back to Australia”.
He said Warne had asthma and had “seen doctors about a heart condition before his death”, he said, adding that relatives said the player had previously suffered chest pain.
SiriSombat also said that “no narcotics were found in Warne’s body,” without giving further details.
As Australia awoke to the news on Saturday, fans placed flowers and other offerings – among them a meat pie and cigarettes – at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where there is a statue in Warne’s honour.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Warne “one of our country’s greatest characters” and announced he would receive a full state funeral.
The current players – who have paid emotional tributes – took the field against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, with both sides observing a minute’s silence and wearing black bands.
Speaking outside the police station on Koh Samui, Andrew Neofito, a close friend of Warne’s, said: “We really want to bring Shane home, that’s all.”
spin pioneer
Credited with reviving the art of leg-spin, Warne was part of a prominent Australian Test team in the 1990s and 2000s and helped his country win the 1999 limited-overs World Cup.
A larger-than-life character, his 708 Test wickets has been surpassed only by fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
Australian captain Pat Cummins said that he is a ‘hero’ for the current generation of cricketers.
“We are all trying to wrap our heads around that the damage is huge,” he said.
His inclusion in the list of Wisden cricketers of the 20th century reflected Warne’s incomparable influence, along with Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Jack Hobbs and Viv Richards.
Coming off the field as a flamboyant youngster with a stroke of blond hair, Warne became almost as famous for his colorful life away from cricket as he was for his adventures on the field.
The first bowler to take 700 Test wickets with leg-breaks, googlies, flippers and his own “jutter”, Warne retired from Australia duty in 2007 after a 5–0 series at home to arch-rivals England. It was after the victory.
He played a total of 145 Tests in a career spanning 15 years, taking 708 wickets, and was also a useful lower-order batsman with the highest Test score of 99.
‘an Honour’
After his international retirement, Warne continued to act in the Twenty20 franchise circuit for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and his hometown Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League.
He later became a highly respected television commentator and pundit, noted for his outspoken opinion, and was involved in coaching, working personally with current leg-spinners.
Warne was divorced from wife Simone Callahan, with whom he had three children.
India batting great Sachin Tendulkar wrote on his former rival’s Twitter: “Shocked, shocked and saddened…will miss you Warne. Never had a dull moment with you.”
Pakistan leader and former player Imran Khan hailed “a bowling genius”, while former Australia teammate Adam Gilchrist said he was “numb”.
Warne’s death was paid tribute by Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, superstar singer Ed Sheeran as well as Australian Hollywood royalty Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman.
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