Thaindian News

Sydney, May 27 (IANS) Australian spin legend Shane Warne has said the cricketing world lost a “true character and champion” in former Test spinner and his mentor Terry Jenner.

Jenner, 66, suffered a massive heart attack in April, and passed away Wednesday in Adelaide.

Warne, who in the previous week played the last of his professional cricket in the Indian Premier League, recalled his last conversation with Jenner and saying “goodbye” to him over phone.

“When I spoke to TJ on the phone a few weeks ago - we said goodbye to each other - it was a very difficult thing to do and chat as it was so unlike all our others - this was it for the last time after 20-odd years. We both didn’t say too much as we both didn’t need to - we just knew,” he was quoted by saying in Daily Telegraph.

“I did thank him though for everything he had done for me and tried to express how much his patience, advice, love and above all his friendship has meant to me and my family.”

“Cricket has lost a true character and champion - the world is a lesser place without Terrence James Jenner! Mate I will miss you so much.”

Posting a lengthy tribute on his website, Warne told about his first meeting with Jenner as a “spiky blond haired 20-year-old … who thought he knew a bit about leg spin”.

“I think we met at exactly the right time in each other’s lives. Maybe all the stars and moons were aligned, because we clicked instantly,” Warne said.

Warne said Jenner motivated him to take his cricket seriously and lose weight. He said “TJ” grew to become his mentor “on all matters and levels”.

“Wherever I was around the world we would call and chat - we would plan to bring down the opposition batsmen, laugh and I would hang up feeling good,” Warne wrote.

“His knowledge of the game, not just spin bowling, was amazing - he understood so much and was happy to share his knowledge to whoever wanted to listen, he always had the game of cricket at heart.”

Jenner’s funeral is to be held May 31 at the Adelaide Oval in South Australia.