The late cricket legend, Shane Warne, has joined the likes of Sir Donald Bradman and Dennis Lillee after it was announced that the King of Spin will be granted “Legend status” in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Warne was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2009 as an athlete Member and with his rise to “Legend status”, becomes the fifth Australian cricketer to achieve the prestigious honour.

The annual elevation of Sport Australia Hall of Fame Members is considered one of the highest sporting honours an Australian sports person can achieve and provides an opportunity to recognise those who have reached the highest levels of achievement in their chosen sport.

Warne will join champion distance runner Ron Clarke AO MBE in receiving the title.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Legend and Chair John Bertrand AO said “Shane Warne and Ron Clarke are the true definition of Legends” while discussing the new titles.

“Inspirations to all Australians. We are thrilled to announce their well-deserved elevation to Legend status within the Sport Australia Hall of Fame,” Bertrand said.

“They symbolise everything that is great about sport in Australia.”

Following the announcement, fans across the globe took to social media to voice their support and celebrate Warne’s inclusion.

Warne’s legend status is well earned given his impressive sporting achievements on the cricket pitch throughout his professional career. He was 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.

Warne’s life was tragically cut short after he died of a suspected heart attack, age 52, while holidaying on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand on March 4.

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.