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The world honours cricket legend Shane Warne on his 55th birthday

Matthew Hart
Sep 13, 2024
On what would have been Shane Warne's 55th birthday, the world celebrates the life of a cricketing icon. Though gone too soon, Warne’s legacy lives on, as his loved ones and fans across the globe pay tribute to the King of Spin. Source: Getty Images.

On what would have been cricketing legend Shane Warne’s 55th birthday, the sporting community and those close to him have come together to honour him on his special day and mark his “heavenly birthday”.

On March 4, 2022, Warne, died at the age of 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 news broke of his tragic passing tributes poured in from across the globe from fellow cricketers, celebrities, and politicians alike.

Warne would have turned 55 this week, his birthday falling on Friday, September 13, and although he may no longer be with us that hasn’t stopped those close to him from taking to social media to wish him a happy birthday.

Warne’s children were among the first to honour the legendary cricketer on his special day.

Jackson Warne kept his birthday tribute to his father heartfelt and simple, sharing a throwback photo of the two together. Alongside the image, he wrote, “Happy birthday, dad @shanewarne23.”

 

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A post shared by Jackson Warne (@jacksonwarne18)

Warne’s eldest daughter, Brooke, also shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, posting a series of nostalgic throwback photos of her with her father.

“Happy heavenly birthday to you Dad❤️‍🩹 I love you so much, today will always be your special day!” she wrote.

The birthday messages were not just confined to Warne’s family with a sea of fans and members of the sporting community taking to social media to reflect on special memories and share some of Warne’s career highlights with heartfelt messages of remembrance.

Widely regarded as one of the finest bowlers in the annals of cricket history, Warne made his debut in Test cricket in 1992, embarking on a journey that would see him claim over 1,000 wickets across both Test matches and One-Day Internationals. Warne’s astonishing tally of 708 Test wickets, achieved in just 145 appearances, held the coveted record for the most wickets taken in Test cricket until 2007.

Acknowledging his extraordinary sporting achievements, the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack bestowed upon Warne the rare honour of being named one of its Five Cricketers of the Twentieth Century, sharing this elite status with legendary figures such as Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs, and Sir Vivian Richards. In 2013, he was immortalised in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Many aficionados of the game credit Warne with revolutionising cricket, particularly for his mastery of leg spin—a craft that, back in 1994, some believed was vanishing due to its formidable technical demands. Warne breathed new life into this art form, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire aspiring cricketers around the world.

As we fondly remember Warne on his 55th birthday, it’s evident that his influence on cricket goes well beyond mere numbers and records. His lasting impact lives not just in statistics but in the hearts of those who admired his brilliance. Warne’s spirit continues to be felt on the cricket field and in the memories of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Happy Birthday, Warnie! Your legacy lives on.

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