Australian spin legend Shane Warne had expressed his desire to become England coach before his demise, and former captain Ricky Ponting believes that his legendary teammate would have been terrific as the head coach of their rivals if he was given a chance.

Warne passed away in Thailand after suffering a suspected heart attack on March 4th. The 52-year-old had told Sky Sports cricket podcast last month: “I’d like to do it. It’s a great time to be England's coach. I think I’d do a pretty good job.”

However, Ponting said that Warne had not talked to him about his willingness to coach the England team but said that he would have made a great coach if the spin wizard was given a chance.

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Ponting told the ICC website: “He would have made a great coach. He didn’t talk to me about that because I would have tried talking him out of it pretty quickly.”

He added, “I think he had a pretty good idea of things to talk to me about and not talk to me about. I know he’s done a bit of it in The Hundred (with the London Spirit) but having someone like Shane Warne to take over the England cricket team now would have done a great job.”

Since Warne is known as one of the sharpest cricket minds the game has ever seen and former Australian captain said that it is imperative to carry on his legacy.

Ponting signed off by saying, “He’s a huge loss to the world game, whether he would have done some coaching or just the insights he gives through his commentary we’re all going to miss that. It’s up to us now that are still here, and have that great passion for the game, to carry on Shane’s legacy that he left.”

(With IANS Inputs)