‘I was with Shane Warne months before he died – I still remember our last words’

Exclusive: The sudden death of Shane Warne sent shock waves through the cricket world, including former England star Phil Tufnell, who still remembers his last conversation with the Australian

After many extraordinary fights with Shane Warne, the last exchange of ex-English cricket star Phil Tufnell with the Australian was simple. As a respected spinner and colorful character that was often in the headlines, Tufnell, 59, could be described as England’s answer to the Australian.

Tufnell may not have had the earring or the pale blonde hair so that Warne looked like a movie star, but the English off-spinner could also turn Batsmannen Bambozle and the ball to his will. Many fans will never forget Tufnell Warne at the Ashes of 1997 by taking 11-wickets to Warne’s four, inspiring England to a 19-run victory over the Aussies in the sixth test.

Of course the couple developed a good friendship in their retirement from Cricket and often worked together in the media. Because millions were all over the world, Tufnell was destroyed by Warne’s fatal heart attack at the age of 52 on March 4, 2022.

He still remembers his last scholarships with Warne. It was an irregular farewell after a cricket match, followed by both spinners who assured each other that they were equipped with cigarettes.

Speak in the launch of the overlap and Betfair’s Stay with Cricket Show, in an exclusive interview with Mirror sportTufnell, when he was asked if he remembers his last exchange with Warne, said: “I actually do a bit.

“I think we were at a cricket match. We have a breakout group there, so we are BBC and he was at Sky. As usual we all meet a fagot for a fagot, we both smoked. I tell you something, it was one of those where we were just chatting.

“It was almost:” Oh, well, see you later. See you next year. Cheers to measure. You have a fag, yes? Okay! Cheers size. Ta, bye. “

“Then, shortly thereafter (when the news was confirmed about death), it was like:” F ***, what? ” That was the shock. We just couldn’t believe it. “

Warne was on holiday in Thailand when he had his heart attack three years ago. His death left a gaping hole in the world of Cricket, especially in the hearts of his family and former rivals who became friends.

In addition to their last conversation, Tufnell also remembers behind the wheel of his car when the news about Warne’s death filtered through his radio. He added: “I drove in my car and I thought they had been wrong.

“I thought they had done it wrong because I think Rod Marsh, the legendary Australian Wicketwachter, had died for two or three days.

“I thought they had been wrong on the radio (the death of Warne). Then I turned to another channel and they said it again. I stopped the car.

“Stopped the car. Not long ago I had worked with him in the media center at a cricket match, just chatting with him. I just couldn’t believe it.”

Warne is generally considered the greatest leg spinner of all time and ended his appreciated career with 708 Wickets, the second time on Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who claimed 800.

Betfair are set for a big summer and winter of cricket and launch a new show with the overlap: stick to Cricket. Don’t miss the first episode next week, where the team will assess the opening test of the series between England and India.