'Everyone thinks he's a big boozer but he's not' - Shane Warne's long-time manager opens up

One of the saddest days in the cricket world took place on March 4, as Australian legendary spinner, Shane Warne died due to a suspected heart attack. However, a report has now arrived stating Warne planned to have dinner with his friends before he was found unconscious in his room at a resort in Koh Samui, Thailand. The report also added that his manager performed CPR to save him for about 20 minutes, which eventually did not work out.

It has to be noted that Warne is the highest wicket-taker for Australia across formats and he was also the first-ever cricketer to reach the landmark of 700 Test wickets. The leg spinner has been a master of ripping and turning the ball and he had a phenomenal career in international cricket.

Shane Warne hadn’t been drinking: Manager

Meanwhile, Warne’s manager James Erskine revealed the story of what had happened few minutes before Warne’s death and how his neighbour had tried to help the legend. He added that the ambulance had come a little later and the hospital confirmed Warne’s death. Notably, Warne had been watching the ongoing Test between Australia and Pakistan, according to the claims from the manager.

“They were meant to meet some people at 5pm. Neo (Neophitou) was next door, he’s always on time. He realised he wasn’t well. He tried to give mouth-to-mouth, tried to resuscitate him, he had no heartbeat, the ambulance came 20 minutes later and an hour and a bit later he was pronounced dead (at the Thai International Hospital). He was on holiday, having a lie down, siesta, he hadn’t been drinking, he’d been on this diet to lose weight,” Warne’s long-time manager James Erskine was quoted as saying by Cricket fanatic.

The manager also stressed the fact that Warne hadn’t been drinking off late and was more prone to reduce his weight. He added that Warne has never taken drugs and was more addicted to playing poker and Golf instead.

“He didn’t drink much. Everyone thinks he’s a big boozer but he’s not a big boozer at all. I sent him a crate of wine, 10 years later it’s still there. He doesn’t drink, never took drugs, ever. He hated drugs so nothing untoward. He was going to do the things he likes doing. He was going to play in one or two poker competitions, play a lot of golf, be with his kids; that was about it; (to) have time to himself,” he added.