Australian legend Shane Warne dies, aged 52

The spinner made 145 Test appearances for Australia, picking up 708 wickets at 25.41, and a further 293 wickets in 194 ODI appearances

Australia legend Shane Warne has died at the age of 52.

The spinner played 145 Tests for Australia, picking up 708 wickets, and a further 293 in 194 ODI appearances.

He is believed to have suffered a suspected heart attack while in Koh Samui in Thailand.

A statement from his management said: "Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived."

“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”

On Friday (March 4), he was discovered unconscious by three friends staying at the same villa.

After being taken by ambulance to the hospital medical personnel were unsuccessful in trying to revive him.

Warne had paid tribute to Rod Marsh, whose passing had been confirmed 24 hours earlier (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

His associates will be questioned on Saturday (March 5) but police do not believe the death to be suspicious.

He is survived by his three children Jackson, Brooke and Summer.

Current Australia Test captain Pat Cummins said: “Shane was a once-in-a-century cricketer and his achievements will stand for all time, but apart from the wickets he took and the games he helped Australia win, what he did was draw so many people to the sport.

“So many of us in the playing group grew up idolising him and fell in love with this great sport as a result, while many of our support staff either played with him or against him."

The news comes less than 24 hours after the passing of Rod Marsh, who suffered a heart attack in Queensland.

Warne himself had tweeted his condolences, writing: "Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed.

"He was a legend of our great game & an inspiration to so many young boys & girls.

Pat Cummins (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images)

"Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much, especially to Australia & England players.

"Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate."

One of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century, a World Cup winner in 1999 and an infectious personality, Warne is regarded as a modern-day sporting great.

He produced what is widely accepted as one of the finest deliveries in history, a ball to Mike Gatting which earned the title 'Ball of the Century'.

His 708 Test scalps have only been surpassed by one player - Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka.

England, against whom 195 of his wickets came, was by far his favourite opponent. He was also part of six Ashes-winning sides, including in his final series in 2006/07.