"Shane Warne Reached Out To Me During Tough Phase": Glenn Maxwell

Australia's star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell says the late Shane Warne had the ability to make one feel at ease in an instant and reveals how the spin wizard reached out to him during a tough phase. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player termed Warne, who died last year due to a cardiac arrest while vacationing in Thailand, as the most caring and loyal person he had ever come across.

"He is probably the most giving and loyal person that I've probably ever met. Generous not just with what he did with his charity work but generous with his knowledge and time," Maxwell said while speaking on the RCB Season 2 Podcast.

"He actively sought out young spinners during their warm-ups to talk them through different skill sets and trying to help them to be the best version of themselves.

"Everyone felt like they had a connection instantly because that's the way he made you feel, he makes you feel like your best friend straightaway," said Maxwell.

Warne grabbed 708 wickets from 145 Tests and remains the second-highest wicket-taker in the traditional format behind Muttiah Muralitharan.

Warne had also picked up 293 wickets from 194 ODIs, making him only the second bowler in history to go past 1,000 international wickets.

Beyond those monumental stats, Maxwell said Warne cared a lot for him and reached out in a time of need.

"I suppose, post cricket hours, I was so lucky to be able to play some golf with him, chat to him off the field, talk to him on the phone. He cared a lot. Once he saw me before one of the Big Bash games, just walking around. We had a small chat and I sort of… I wouldn't say I brushed him but I sort of just walked away.

"He messaged me afterwards: 'Are you alright?' And he checked in a couple of times. And then