Australia Test captain Pat Cummins said cricket "will never be the same" after the death of leg-spin great Shane Warne. Warne has died at the age of 52, having been found unresponsive in his villa in Thailand on Friday (March 4).
The flamboyant bowler registered 708 wickets across a remarkable 15-year Test career, bettered only by fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, before retiring from international cricket in 2007 and pursuing careers in commentary and coaching. He was a victor in seven Ashes series, in which he picked up 195 dismissals in outings against England, as he inspired the next generation of Australian cricketers.
Cummins expressed shock at the news of Warne's death when he spoke after stumps on day one of Australia's first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. He also paid tribute to another Australia Test mainstay in Rod Marsh, who died aged 74 on Thursday.
Test captain Pat Cummins reacts to the shock news of Shane Warne's passing.
"Rest in peace, King. On behalf of the entire playing group and support staff here in Pakistan, I want to express our shock and sadness over Shane's sudden passing," Cummins said, quoted by Cricket Australia. We are all numbed by the news.
"Shane was a once-in-a-century cricketer and his achievements will stand for all time, but apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport.
"So many of us in the playing group grew up idolising him and fell in love with this great sport as a result, while many of our support staff either played with him or against him.
"It has been a terrible couple of days for Australian cricket with the passing of Rod Marsh and now Shane.
"Our thoughts are with both families and, in Shane's case, particularly with his parents Keith and Bridgette, his brother Jason and his children Jackson, Summer and Brooke.
"The game of cricket was never the same after Shane emerged, and it will never be the same now he has gone. Rest in peace King."
Former team-mate and wicketkeeper Gilchrist, who regularly combined with Warne behind the stumps as the leg-spinner bamboozled his opponents, was lost for words as he posted a series of broken hearts.
"I’m a bit numb and a bit stunned like everybody is feeling and expressing,” Gilchrist said.
“It doesn’t quite seem real. I suppose one thing we shouldn’t be surprised about is that Warnie never did things normally or by the book or you would say the fashionable way.
“He played his own game and it was a different game to everybody else. It was a different league. A different level.
“Like I said yesterday with Rod Marsh it is going to be a life that is well celebrated because geez he put a bit into it.”
Warne's teammate Matthew Hayden was also shocked to the core after hearing the untimely demise of the the spin wizard.
"RIP Warnie. God only made one model of you my friend," Hayden tweeted
India captain Rohit Sharma said he still can't fathom that the legend is no more.
"I'm truly lost for words here, this is extremely sad. An absolute legend and champion of our game has left us. RIP Shane Warne….still can't believe it," Rohit said in a tweet.
Rohit's predecessor, Virat Kohli, who turned out in his milestone 100th Test against Sri Lanka at Mohali on Friday, described Warne as a the "greatest to turn the cricket ball".
"Life is so fickle and unpredictable. I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the cricket ball," he tweeted.
World Cup-winning India opener Gautam Gambhir tweeted: "Very few can match their attitude with raw talent. #ShaneWarne made bowling look like magic! RIP." Not just Indians, Warne's untimely death has shocked world cricket.
Another legend Adam Gilchrist, who combined with Warne to orchestrate innumerable dismissals of batters around the world for many years in the Australian team, also paid a heart-wrenching tribute to the departed cricket great.
"Numb. The highlight of my cricketing career was to keep wicket to Warnie. Best seat in the house to watch the maestro at work. Have often felt a tad selfish, that Heals (Ian Healy) and I pretty much exclusively are the only ones who had that thrill and pleasure at Test level. Rip Warnie."
"Players all over the world owe him so much for what he has brought to cricket. He had a huge affect on all he met. He transcended cricket. RIP King." "RIP LEGEND #ShaneWarne," West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle wrote on his Twitter page.
Former and current Pakistan cricketers too paid rich tributes to the spin magician.
"Find it hard to believe. Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin. You'll forever be missed #ShaneWarne. My heart and prayers goes to his family, friends, and fans. #legend," Pakistan captain Babar Azam wrote.
Warne's good mate and contemporary, Shoaib Akhtar said it will take a long time to heal from this terrible loss.
"It's going to take a long time to get over this loss. Legendary #ShaneWarne is not with us anymore," Akhtar said.
Shahid Afridi said in Warne's demise, cricket has lost an "university of leg-spin bowling".
"The game of cricket has lost what I consider a university of leg-spin bowling today. I was inspired by his bowling from the start of my career and it was always a privilege to play against him. My deepest condolences are with Warne's family and loved ones. #ShaneWarne." Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi wrote: "Life is so unpredictable. Cricket will surely miss your presence. Thinking about his family and friends. You'll remain in prayers of many. #ShaneWarne #legend." Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes was stunned by the news.
"Noooooo #shanewarne cannot believe what I am reading." Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews added: "Can't believe this! Sad and shocked that The spin wizard is no more. You will be greatly missed.condolences to the family and loved ones. RIP legend #shanewarne."
