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A friend of Shane Warne has revealed what transpired in the hours before the cricketing great died of a suspected heart attack on Friday.
Key points:
- Tom Hall was in Thailand with Shane Warne
- He said the group watched the Australia-Pakistan Test together the night before Warne died
- Revealing Warne's last meal, Hall said Warne was 'Australian through and through'
Tom Hall was staying with Warne and others at the Samujan resort on the island of Koh Samui when the 52-year-old cricket legend died.
Hall, the CEO of The Sporting News (TSN) website, had recently brought Warne on as an adviser having met him at a charity poker match 15 years ago.
Writing on the TSN website, Hall said the night had started normally, as the group spoke about sport and tried to find a way to watch the Australia and Pakistan Test match on television.
"A few balls into the Test, Warney jumps up and says, 'Mate, I bought you a present,' and rushes off excitedly to his room," Hall wrote.
"He came back with an armful of clothes looking like he had been at a yard sale.
"He presented me with his jumper from the 2005 Ashes Test, his 2008 IPL shirt and a one-day international shirt and cap to place in the TSN offices in Australia and the UK. Amazing gifts I knew the teams would love and cherish."
'An Australian through and through'
As the discussion continued around Warne's exploits on the field as well as poker, golf, and an upcoming trip to Mexico, Hall said the group decided to grab a bite to eat, with Warne picking a typically Australian meal, having reportedly been on a juice-only fast in the lead-up to the trip.
"Shane chomping away: 'Geez, you can’t beat Vegemite with some butter, always great wherever you are in the world.'
"An Australian through and through — this was to turn out to be his last meal. Ever the caring father, as I was leaving, he headed up to his bedroom to call his kids."
It was the last time the group saw Warne alive.
Warne complained of chest pains to a friend
Hall said he was unaware of Warne having heart issues, but said the cricketer had complained of chest pains to a friend.
"None of us here are aware of Shane having visited a doctor, though he had complained to a friend of some chest pains and shortness of breath," Hall said.
"He knew he was a bit overweight and was getting back into training harder.
"His travel companions from Australia did everything they could, the local ambulance crews got there fast. There were no unusual circumstances."
Thai doctors were set to do an autopsy yesterday, while Warne's family has accepted an offer of a state funeral.