Shane Warne experienced chest pains before his death, Thai police say – as Australia offers state funeral | World News

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne had experienced chest pains before his death in Thailand, police have said.

Warne also had a history of asthma and “had seen a doctor about his heart”, according to Yutthana Sirisombat, Bophut Police Chief in Koh Samui, who cited information from Warne’s friends.

The three friends had been staying with Warne at a villa in Koh Samui when the 52-year-old died of a suspected heart attack on Friday.

Mr Yutthana would not comment when asked about the likely cause of death, but said police are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test before scheduling a post-mortem examination.

Meanwhile, Australia has said a state funeral will be held for Warne – one of its most famous cricketers.

And his former fiancee Elizabeth Hurley has described him as her “beloved Lionheart”.

Sharing a photo of them together on Instagram, she wrote: “I feel like the sun has gone behind a cloud forever. RIP my beloved Lionheart @shanewarne23.”

Nasser Hussain, a former England cricket captain, said Warne had revived the art of leg-spin bowling, and had brilliance, genius and fight.

Hussain told Sky Sports: “Leg spin was a dying art before Shane Warne burst on to the scene, we had never heard of a delivery called a flipper and then suddenly he used to set us up with it.

“He used to bowl a delivery that was short and you’d think ‘Shane lost it today’ and the very next ball was the flipper and it would go straight through us.

“He was an outstanding cricketer.

“Some people are brilliant at the game, some people have genius, and some people have fight and Shane Warne had everything in abundance.

“He was also a very, very smart cricketer as we’ve seen in the commentary box since he retired from the game.”

Warne took 708 Test wickets – the second-highest ever – in 145 matches across an illustrious 15-year international career.

He also claimed 293 wickets in one-day internationals and helped Australia win the World Cup in 1999.

Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath said he was “absolute devastated” by the death of his teammate, adding: “Warnie was larger than life.

“I thought nothing could ever happen to him.

“He lived more in his life than most people would live in 20.

“He was the ultimate competitor. He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around and bring us to victory, which he did so many times. I think he lived his life the same way. There seemed to be never a dull moment.

“He was a great mate and a loving father. He loved his kids so much and my thoughts are with Brooke, Jackson and Summer. My thoughts are also with (Warne’s parents) Keith, Bridgette, and (Warne’s brother) Jason.

“Rest In peace my good mate, there’ll never again be anyone like you.”