Considered by many as one of the greatest bowlers to ever play the game, Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has died of a suspected heart attack aged 52.

Affectionately known as "Warnie," the legendary player passed away in Thailand's Koh Samui of a suspected heart attack, according to his management.

"Shane was found unresponsive in his villa, and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived," the leg-spinner's management company said in a statement Friday.

"The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course."

Across a stellar 15-year career, Warne took 708 Test wickets in 145 matches - the highest for an Australian, and the second most of all time behind only Muttiah Muralitharan.

Named one of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Century, the Australia great won the 1999 50-over World Cup and claimed 293 one-day international wickets in 194 matches.

The "king of spin" retired from international cricket in 2007. However, he continued to play Twenty20 franchise cricket until retiring from all formats in 2013.

At the age of 23, Warne delivered what is now regarded as the greatest ball in cricket history, taking everyone by surprise on June 4, 1993.

Before letting the ball rip towards England batter Mike Gatting, he ambled up to the stumps.

The ball drifted in the air, pitching outside Mike's leg stump, before fizzing past his bat and clipping the off stump.