Shane Warne Was Someone You Could Count On, Someone Who Always Put His Mates First - Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting penned a heartfelt message after the demise of fellow teammate and legendary leg-spinner, Shane Warne. The 52-year-old Warne passed away at the age of 52 due to a suspected heart attack.

The cricketing world mourned the death of one of the greatest ever bowlers, as condolences poured in for the spinner’s family. Warne’s achievements on the field will never be forgotten, and Ponting is someone who witnessed it first hand.

The duo was part of one of the greatest ever Australian teams which dominated throughout the world in the 2000s. Following Warne’s death, Ponting took to Twitter to express his respect and love for the former teammate.

“Hard to put this into words. I first met him when I was 15 at the Academy. He gave me my nickname. We were teammates for more than a decade, riding all the highs and lows together.”

“Through it all, he was someone you could always count on, someone who loved his family, someone who would be there for you when you needed him and always put his mates first,” Ponting wrote.

“The greatest bowler I ever played with” – Ricky Ponting

Warne ended his Test career with 708 wickets to his name, only behind Muttiah Muralitharan who took 800 wickets. Warne is also the most successful bowler in Ashes history, having taken 195 wickets against England. His best figures of 8/71 also came against the arch-rivals back in 1994 in Brisbane.

“The greatest bowler I ever played with or against. RIP King. My thoughts are with Keith, Bridgette, Jason, Brooke, Jackson and Summer,” Ponting further added.

Warne’s former teammates, Adam Gilchrist, Ian Healy, Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and others also paid tribute to their former mate and a revolutionary spinner.

Also Read – Shane Warne’s Records Will Live On Forever: Pat Cummins Pays Tribute To Late Australian Spinner