Melbourne: Australian cricket legend Shane Warne (52) died of a suspected heart attack yesterday. Warne, widely regarded as the greatest spinner, was in Koh Samui, Thailand.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” read a statement issued by Warne’s management according to a Fox Sports report. “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course,” the statement said.

This is the second devastating blow for Australian cricket within 24 hours, with former wicket-keeper-batter Rod Marsh passing away yesterday after having suffered a heart attack last week.

Warne took 708 Test wickets — the most ever by an Australian and second-most of all time behind Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan.

MCG stand to be renamed in honour of Warne

The Great Southern Stand at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be renamed in honour of Australian great Shane Warne. “I’ve just informed the Warne family that the Government will rename the Great Southern Stand at the MCG — the place he took his hat-trick and 700th wicket — to honour Shane and his contribution to the game,” tweeted Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria.