Shane Warne’s friend shares details about the late cricketer’s final hours before death

Warne had complained to a friend of "some chest pains and shortness of breath."

Shane Warne | GettyAustralia cricket great Shane Warne’s sudden demise has left the cricket fraternity in a state of shock.

The 52-year-old passed away of a suspected heart attack on Friday (March 4). He was found unresponsive in his villa in Thailand and couldn’t be revived despite the best efforts of medical staff.

Three days after his death, Tom Hall, an associate of the spin legend, has shared details about what Warne was up to before he suffered the heart attack.

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Hall, chief executive of The Sporting News website, revealed that Warne caught up with friends and watched the ongoing Rawalpindi Test between Australia and Pakistan.

"The first question is, 'How can we watch Australia v Pakistan test here in Thailand; the game’s about to start?', Hall wrote, quoting Warne.

"Warney and cricket were never far apart."

After following a bit of cricket, Warne rushed off excitedly to his room.

"He came back with an armful of clothes looking like he had been at a yard sale," said Hall.

"Shane had been working with me at The Sporting News for the past year or so and he presented me with his jumper from the 2005 Ashes Test, his 2008 IPL shirt and a one-day international shirt and cap to place in the TSN offices in Australia and the UK."

Tom Hall further said Warne shared stories about his inaugural IPL season, where he led Rajasthan Royals to the title.

After clicking pictures with the cricket gears, Shane Warne had a meal with his friends.

"I have dined with Shane in many fine establishments, but rather than sample some of the local Thai fare, we tuck into a plate of Vegemite on toast," said Hall.

"Shane chomping away: 'Geez, you can’t beat Vegemite with some butter, always great wherever you are in the world'.

"An Australian through and through - this was to turn out to be his last meal."

After acquiring information from Warne's family, Thai police on Saturday (March 5) said that the former cricketer had experienced chest pain before his death in Thailand and also had asthma and some heart issues.

According to Hall, Warne had complained to a friend of "some chest pains and shortness of breath" but they weren’t aware of him visiting any doctor.

"He knew he was a bit overweight and was getting back into training harder. His travel companions from Australia did everything they could, the local ambulance crews got there fast," he wrote.

Shane Warne's body was taken for an autopsy on Sunday (March 6). While Thai police refused to comment on the cause of death, they are not treating it as suspicious.

(With Reuters inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 Mar, 2022

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