'You Will be Forever Missed King!' - Australian Players Pay Rich Tribute to the Cricket Icon

Australia Test captain Pat Cummins paid a rich tribute to legendary spinner Shane Warne who passed away on Friday at age of 52. Cummins, who is currently leading the Aussie side on a Pakistan tour, said that several players in the current squad still hold Warne as their hero.

“So many guys in this team and squad still hold him as a hero,” he said in a video message released to media Friday night.

“The loss that we are all trying to wrap our heads around is huge. The game was never the same after Warnie emerged, and the game will never be the same after his passing.”

Warne, widely regarded as one of the greatest spinners of all time, died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand, aged 52.

The news came just hours after the death was announced of fellow Australian great Rod Marsh, one of cricket’s outstanding wicketkeepers.

“It has been a really tough day after the passing of Rod. We just wish the best for both families. Warnie was an all-time great, a once-in-a-century type cricketer, and his records will live on forever,” Cummins said.

“We all grew up watching Warnie, idolizing him. We all had his posters on the wall.”

Cummins said Warne was “loved” by Australia’s cricketers, who also admired his showmanship.

“He was their all-time favorite player,” he said.

“The way he just willed himself and the team around him to win games for Australia… and above all else, his incredible skill as a leg spinner.”

Apart from Cummins, Aussie opener David Warner also paid homage to Warne and Marsh.

“Two legends of our game have left us too soon. I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family. I just can not believe it. #rip, you will both be missed,” Warner wrote on his Instagram post.

ICC no.1 ranked Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne was also shocked about Warne’s demise and penned a heartfelt note for the spin great.

“Shocked and saddened at the news. Warnie did so much for the game of cricket and will be forever remembered for everything he did not only on the field but off it too. Rest In Peace,” he tweeted.

Australia limited-overs captain Aaron Finch also expressed his love and admiration for Warne on Twitter.

“shocked…absolutely shattered that we have lost one of the great sportsmen and friends! The impact you had runs a lot deeper than cricket. You will be forever missed, King!” Finch wrote on Twitter.