Shane Warne sends ‘love’ to Ukraine ‘mate’ Andriy Shevchenko

Former Australia cricketer Shane Warne has criticised Russia’s “unprovoked” invasion of Ukraine while sending “lots of love to my Ukrainian mate” Andriy Shevchenko.

LIVE | NEW ZEALAND V SOUTH AFRICA – DAY 2

Russian forces were closing in on Kyiv early on Saturday amid fears the Ukrainian capital was about to be engulfed in a devastating conflict.

Shane Warne, regarded as the finest leg-spinner of all time, offered support to Shevchenko, the former Chelsea and AC Milan striker who also played for and managed his national side.

READ | BOUCHER QUESTIONS DETRACTING FROM PROTEAS PLAY? ‘IT’S BULLS**T’ SAYS ELGAR

“The entire world is with the people of Ukraine as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces,” Warne tweeted.

“The pictures are horrific and I can’t believe more is not being done to stop this. Sending lots of love to my Ukrainian mate @jksheva7 and his family,” the ex-spinner added, tagging Shevchenko’s Twitter handle and adding a love-heart emoji.

The entire world is with the people of Ukraine as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. The pictures are horrific and I can’t believe more is not being done to stop this. Sending lots of love to my Ukrainian mate @jksheva7 and his family ❤️

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 26, 2022

Warne took over 1 000 wickets in Tests and one-day internationals in his career before retiring from international cricket in January 2007.

Shevchenko took over as the Ukraine national side’s boss in 2016 and guided them to the quarter-finals at Euro 2020, where they were eliminated 4-0 by England.

Not clear how Shane Warne knows Shevchenko

He stepped down in August when his contract ended and spent two months in charge of Genoa before being sacked on January 15.

It’s unclear now Warne knows Shevchenko.