JIMMY ANDERSON made an emotional tribute to Shane Warne by saying, "He was so great that I thought he could never be defeated."

After a suspected heart attack, cricket legend Warne passed away on Friday at the age 52.

Before yesterday's match against Pakistan and England, Australia's women and men were held in silence for Warne as well as Rod Marsh, ex-wicketkeeper.

Both sides of the Australasian war were seen sporting black armbands, with some players wearing an additional one to commemorate the passing of TWO greats.

As a gesture of respect, Alana King, a leggie, touched Alana's armband at the women's World Cup after Tammy Beaumont was stumped. Alyssa Shealy, Warne's niece, is wicket-keeper Ian.

Anderson faced Warne several times, including in Warne's final Test at the 2007 Ashes in Sydney.

The 39-year-old Lancastrian is third on the all time leading Test wicket-takers' list, behind Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan and Warne. He posted a picture on Instagram of him laughing with his Aussie counterpart.

The message included: "Found this photograph a few years ago.

"I still cannot believe it." You almost believe you are invincible when someone lives their life with an airof invincibility.

Glenn McGrath and Warne formed a formidable partnership in bowling to form an all-conquering Aussie team.

The fast bowler wrote a touching message to Australia as they continue to mourn the cricketing legend.

"Warnie was bigger than life. He was the best thing that could happen to me.

He lived more years than most people in their 20s. He was the ultimate competitor. He believed that the game could be won and that he could win it back. This he proved many times.

He lived his life in the same way that I do. There was never a dull moment.

He was a great friend and a loving father. Rest in Peace, my dear mate. There will never be another like you."

Ricky Ponting, former Australia skipper and Warne captain from 2004 to 2007, described Ponting as 'The greatest bowler that I have ever played with'.

Ponting tweeted: "We were teammates for more than a ten years, riding all the highs & lows together.

"He was someone you could count on and who always put his friends first."

David Boon and Allan Border, two more ex-Aussie stars, were overcome with emotion as they tried to deal with Warne’s sudden death in Thailand just hours after Marsh's death.

Border, a former skipper, said that it would be difficult to get through the next few days without finally realizing that Shane is not coming back to me.

Boon said: "He made cricket fun for all of us -- had a great sense humour, so confident and yet so vulnerable off the field."

It is particularly shocking when you have only recently seen someone, but he was happy and enjoying his life.

He said, "I thought he looked fine. But I have to lose a few kilos." It's shocking to realize that this is unlikely to happen.