Cummins leads tributes to Warne, ‘a once-in-a-century type of cricketer’

The cricketing world was left in shock and disbelief yesterday after the death of Shane Warne aged only 52, as if collectively bamboozled by one of the ripping leg-breaks that were the hallmark of the former Australia spinner’s iconic career.

Pat Cummins, the Australia men’s captain, was among those struggling to process the devastating news that Warne had died from a suspected heart attack in a villa on holiday on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand.

“Warnie was an all-time great, a once-in-a-century type of cricketer,” Cummins said, his players having learned the news as they travelled back to the team hotel after day one of their first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

“His record will live on for ever. 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.

“The loss we’re all trying to wrap our heads around is huge. The game was never the same after Warnie emerged and the game will never be the same after his passing. Rest in peace, King.”

These sentiments were echoed across the world, Warne having left an indelible mark during a 15-year international career that began in 1992, caught fire with the “ball of the century” against England’s Mike Gatting during the following year’s Ashes series and returned 708 Test wickets from 145 caps. He also starred in the 1999 World Cup triumph, named man of the match after taking four for 33 in the final against Pakistan.

Sachin Tendulkar, the former India batsman, tweeted: “Shocked, stunned & miserable. Will miss you Warnie. There was never a dull moment