On March 4, 2022, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Shane Warne, died of a suspected heart attack, age 52 while enjoying a holiday on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand.
Following his sudden death, Warne’s management released a statement acknowledging the tragedy.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement said.
After the news broke of his tragic passing tributes poured in from across the globe from fellow cricketers, celebrities, and politicians alike.
Warne would have turned 53 this week, his birthday falling on Tuesday, September 13, and although he may no longer be with us that hasn’t stopped the cricket world and fans of the late cricket icon from taking to social media to wish him a “happy heavenly birthday”.
Warne’s family led the birthday tributes to the late King of Spin, sharing a photo of the cricket legend mid-bow during a cricket match alongside the caption, “Happy Birthday 1969-2022”.
“A legacy gives you a perspective on what’s important,” the caption read.
“It is about the richness of an individual’s life, including what they accomplished and the impact they had on people and places.
“Shane’s Legacy will live on.
“Happy birthday – always in our hearts.”
Australian entertainment figures such as Natalie Imbruglia joined fans in flooding the comments section with birthday wishes.
Professional surfer Kelly Slater said “Gonna miss Shane at the Dunhill”.
“Happy heavenly birthday @shanewarne23. Sending all our love to brooke, jacko, summer, Keith, Brigette, Jason, H, and families x,” one fan wrote.
“Hope your bowling in some good areas up in heaven Shane.”
“No doubt about it. Not many people on the planet have been so good at their craft that they literally changed the game & inspired a new generation of talent to follow in his footsteps. And he did so with such a competitive edge & Aussie larrikin spirit that just etches him even more into his legend status. Happy bday king,” another commented.
“Thinking of all the family today. And thinking of you Shane.. looking down on us all and protecting the kids from above.”
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar said he “will cherish” the “many memorable moments” he shared with Warne while wishing him a happy birthday.
Warne enjoyed many career highlights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which also honored the legendary bowler.
BET 365 said Warne is “gone, but never forgotten”.
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh “fondly” remembered Warne on his birthday.
Fans also joined sporting figures in honouring Warne’s birthday, while reflecting on his stellar sporting career.
Warne was widely considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. He played his first Test match in 1992 and took over 1,000 wickets in Tests and One-Day Internationals over the course of his career. Warne’s 708 Test wickets from 145 tests was the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test cricket until 2007.
Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack recognised Shane’s incredible sporting achievements by naming him as one of its Five Cricketers of the Twentieth Century alongside fellow cricket icons Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Vivian Richards. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.
It is said by many that Warne revolutionised cricket with his mastery of the leg spin, which, back in 1994, many cricket followers had come to regard as a dying art due to its immense difficulty of execution.