Tributes after iconic cricketer Warne dies

Shane Warne was one of cricket's great characters.

Most cricket fans knew that they would turn up to watch their team and, sooner or later, Warne would come on to bowl and rip through them. Yet still people cheered.

He was given a standing ovation at The Oval in 2005 on his last tour of England. People still remember him fondly as a fabulous, one-of-a-kind cricketer.

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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar has paid tribute to Shane Warne, saying "Indians always had a special place for you".

THE delivery that went down in history.

He never stopped.

Watching Shane Warne bowling is something I will never forget. It was an absolute privilege, but it's his personality I will miss the most.

I remember a conversation with him a few years ago and it was his massive enthusiasm about this new pair of shoes.

If he is talking like that about a pair of shoes, imagine what energy he had for cricket and life.

From musicians to film stars...

Tributes flooding in from outside sport...

We are still waiting for the news to come out and say it's a hoax. It's hard to fathom right now, he is still young and it's tragic news. Our thoughts go to his loved ones, and particularly his kids.

We are still pinching ourselves and it's a shocking way to end the day. I saw him in England last year around Lords and, typical Warney, he was larger than life.

He was full of goodness. I have played a lot of cricket with him and he is a year younger so it doesn't make any sense. He had a zest for life and played cricket on the field as hard as anyone I knew. Off the field, he wanted to get away from those stresses and it's not a bad way to live life.

He is the genius of his time. Leg spinning is probably the hardest discipline to master. He not only mastered it, he took the mickey out if it. He was the guy you turned to to win you the game.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, England batsman Mike Gatting said: "I have a picture on my wall of that ball, and me missing it and it hitting the stumps. I'm part of history and I'm involved with a special person who enhanced cricket.

"We talked about it and he said he wanted to get it down the other end and spin it, but he didnt know how far it would. Neither did I.

"He was never short of confidence and that wicket launched him on the ladder to greatness. It was an amazing ball.

"The great thing about him was his love of the game and just his will to win."

Just a bizarre day.

It has knocked everybody around that has come here to watch Australia play in Pakistan for the first time in years.

There was the mourning for Rod Marsh at the beginning of the day and it felt like the circle of life.

Then the news started filtering through and nobody thought it was true at first. Then we realised it was coming out from Shane's manager. A few hours later I still don’t believe it.

He was an absolute superstar, not just of cricket, but everyone knew him across sport.

He was a great showman and he got people to fall back in love with spin bowling. Everyone wanted to be a leggy. He emptied bars when he was bowling. He was a fabulous bloke and a fantastic cricket brain. Not only on the field but off the field, he had such a love for the game.

When he spoke, people listened. When he walked into a bar, you knew Shane Warne was there. When he walked into a changing room, you knew Shane Warne was there. When you walked into a commentary box, you knew Shane Warne was there.

People say you are never bigger than the game, but if anyone got close to it, it was Shane Warne.

First we send our condolences to his family and also Rod Marsh's, which was a big blow yesterday. You reel from that and then you wake up to this. He did make people smile and he was unmissable. When Shane Warne was bowling you did not look away for a second.

It was such a theatrical business as he tried to confuse batsmen and get in their mind. It was all part of his routine and he attracted so many people to cricket by his character and his charisma. He lived life at a 1000mph.

His legacy is immense. There has never been a spinner like him and what Shane Warne was able to do with that cricket ball was absolutely remarkable.

India bowler Umesh Yaadav joins the list of tributes...

Former Irish cricketer Niall O'Brien remembers Shane Warne fondly.

Here is the man himself, speaking to BBC Sport in 2018...

From one former club to another...

Rajasthan Royals have also paid tribute to Shane Warne.

The Australian led them to the first ever Indian Premier League title as captain in 2008 and played for them for four years.

Here is a statement from Hampshire Cricket chairman, Rod Bransgrove:

"It is impossible to exaggerate the impact Shane Warne had on this club during his time with us between 2000 and 2007. Players, members, management and staff are all united in their grief at the shocking news of his untimely passing.

"Warney had established many enduring friendships here at Hampshire and I feel privileged to regard myself as one of these. No doubt, like me, many will be struggling to process the tragic news and come to terms with his loss.

"For me, Shane Warne stands alone as the greatest spin bowler of all time. He was also an inspirational leader and brilliant tactician. He believed that any match could be won from any position and was good enough to fulfil this prophecy himself on many occasions.

"What’s more, as Hampshire captain, he convinced the players to believe in his philosophy and established Hampshire as a major force in all forms of professional cricket.

"Off the field, he was competitive, fun, naughty and lovable in equal measure. He used to say "just because I occasionally do stupid things, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid" and he couldn’t have shown greater self-awareness.

"Shane Warne has made an indelible impact on the world in his tragically short time here, transcending his sport and becoming an international icon. He will be hugely missed by all those who knew him and my thoughts right now are with Keith, Bridgette, Brooke, Jackson and Summer."

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While Shane Warne will be best remembered for his international accolades, he also has a special place in the hearts of Hampshire fans.

We'll have a statement from the club's chairman next...

Here is what's coming up on tonight's BBC Radio 5 Live special on Shane Warne's life.

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has paid tribute...