Cricket Australia and the cricketing world in general, were shocked with the news of the passing of two greats of the game of Cricket, on the same day-Friday 4th March.
First came the news of the passing of one of the world’s finest wicketkeeper batsmen, ever, Rodney Marsh.
He was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and was said to be in critical condition. He was 74.
Then came the even more shocking news on that same day, of the passing of the 52-year-old legendary leg spinner, Shane Warne, who died of an apparent heart attack, while vacationing in Thailand.
Here are some of the comments that poured in as tributes over the last few days:
* ‘I thought nothing could ever happen to him. He lived more in his life than most people would live in 20.’ – Glenn McGrath
* ‘He has had a turbulent life but a very full life … you just felt, I certainly did, he would go on forever.’ – Mark Taylor
* ‘Shocked, stunned & miserable … there was never a dull moment with you around.’ – Sachin Tendulkar
* ‘I am shocked to the core. This can’t be true.’ – Viv Richards
* ‘We have lost one of the greatest sportsmen of all time!’ – Brian Lara
* ‘The game of cricket was never the same after Shane emerged and it will never be the same now he has gone.’ – Pat Cummins
* ‘He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever.’ – Mick Jagger
* ‘Heaven will be a lively place now the King has arrived.’ – Michael Vaughan
* ‘Please no ….heartbroken. Already miss ‘The King.’ – Brendon McCullum
* ‘Numb.’ – Adam Gilchrist
* ‘I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport.’ – Virat Kohli
* ‘The man who made spin cool.’ – Virendar Sehwag
* ‘It’s just unfathomable.’ – Mark Waugh
* ‘The Rock Star of cricket! Gone too soon.’ – Brett Lee
* ‘Genius player. Grand company. Loyal friend.’ – Russell Crowe
* ‘The biggest superstar of my generation gone.’ – Waqar Younis
* ‘Played hard on field and was one of the first to have a beer with you after.’ – Jacques Kallis
The Great Southern Stand at the MCG will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand, the Victorian government confirmed on Saturday, while Warne’s family will be offered a state funeral, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, describing him as one of the nation’s greatest cricketers and characters.