Shane Warne's haunting final tweet before tragic death

The sporting world is reeling after the shock news that Shane Warne - the greatest Test leg-spinner of all time - has died at the age of 52.

Warne died in a Thailand hotel on Friday while on holiday of a suspected heart attack, with his management confirming he was found unresponsive and unable to be revived.

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Thai police have since told Reuters that Warne's body had been taken for an autopsy and friends who found him would be spoken with, but added there were no signs of foul play.

The horrific news came less than 24 hours after Australian cricket mourned the loss of another Test great, following the passing of Rod Marsh.

The legendary wicketkeeper suffered a heart attack in Bundaberg last week, and was later transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital on order to be closer to his family.

He had been placed in an induced coma, and was transferred interstate before news broke on Friday that he had died.

In a haunting twist, Warne paid tribute to Marsh on social media in what may have been the final message he sent before his own tragic death.

"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. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much-especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate," Warne tweeted alongside a love heart emoji.

News of Warne's death has hit Australia and the wider sporting world hard, with Australia's current Test stars learning of the tragedy after the first day's play in their opening Test against Pakistan.

"Hard to fathom," a clearly emotional Australia captain Pat Cummins said.

"Warnie was an all-time great. A once-in-a-century type cricketer and his records will live on forever

"We all grew up watching Warnie, idolising him. We all had posters on our walls, had his earings.

"We loved so much about Warnie.

"His showmanship, his charisma, his tactics, the way he just willed himself and the team around him to win games for Australia.

"There are so many guys in this team and squad who still have him as a hero and all-time favourite player. The loss we are trying to wrap our head around is huge.

"The game of cricket was never the same after Shane emerged, and it will never be the same now he has gone. Rest in peace King."

Warne was Australia's greatest-ever bowler and arguably the country's second greatest cricketer in history behind Don Bradman.

Named one of the five cricketers of the 20th century by Wisden when he was still midway through his career, Warne owned the field in the way few others have.

A magician with the ball, the legspinner remains Australia's leading wicket-taker and sits second behind Muthiah Muralidaran globally with 708 scalps in 145 Tests.

He played one of the most influential roles in Australia's golden era of cricket, announcing himself with the magic ball that bowled Mike Gatting in 1993 and bowing out with a 5-0 Ashes whitewash at home in 2006-07.

In between times, he bowled Australia to the 1999 World Cup, helping them back from the brink with unforgettable displays in the semi-final and final.

Such was Warne's brilliance, he took a record 96 wickets in the penultimate year of his career.

All up he finished with 1001 international wickets across all formats, earning spots in the ICC, Australian cricket and Australian sport Hall of Fame.

Tributes have been flooding social media by shattered fans, former teammates, players and officials reacting to the tragic news.

with AAP

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