STUART BROAD: Shane Warne was THE hero of our game

Shane Warne was cricket's version of Michael Jordan. Someone universally known beyond the boundaries of their sport. 

His name would have been familiar in countries that do not play cricket and to people who had never seen it. And the outpouring of emotion of the last 48 hours undoubtedly defines what a huge loss this has been.

When Rodney Marsh, another Australian great, passed away at 74 last week, I immediately thought: 'That's no age.' So, the passing of Warne at just 52 so soon afterwards has hit everybody hard. 

Whoever met Shane was immediately hit by several things: his amazing positive energy; his zest for life; his love for cricket and his kindness and warmth. 

Another quality I believed he possessed, through the times I spent with him on the golf course, in the commentary box or around cricket grounds, was invincibility. It still doesn't feel real. 

His generosity was incredible. When, after the first Ashes Test in 2019, I held a charity golf day at The Belfry for motor neurone disease, he came to support it by playing and taking part in the Q&A at the dinner that followed. 

He drove up in the morning from London, the guys in his team adored his company on the course, and he had time for everybody involved. I'd booked him a room at the hotel but towards the end of the evening he told me he was actually driving home. He was such a sociable guy, he just had time for people. 

I spent some time with him in Australia this winter. He was on great form, full of life and as always very positive towards us England cricketers. 

That might not always come across through his punditry but he was always very supportive of the England team and expressed his appreciation to us for going over to play the Ashes under Covid