Cricket legend reveals shocking Shane Warne story that revealed the extent of his addiction

Australian Cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has humourously detailed the reality of his late cricket team mate Shane Warne's smoking addiction.

Speaking on Nova 100's Jase & Lauren this week, the 53-year-old left-handed batsman discussed the 'gold old days' of the Aussie cricket team and Shane's antics.

The cricket commentator highlighted the king of spin's humour.

'I remember we were standing lined up... We were lined up at a boot camp to have a big week long, physical and psychological, tough boot camp where we were going to get smashed and tested, you know, mentally and all that,' Adam explained.

'And at the start, the doctor asked us all to put out dependent medication — anyone who had asthma put your medication out. Put your tablets out if you've got a bad back. Warnie laid down eight packets of Benson & Hedges.

'That's the character we're talking about.'

It was no secret Shane was a heavy smoker. 

Regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time, he smoked throughout his 22-year international cricket career.

At the height of his career in 1997, Shane was photographed at The Ashes in London puffing on a cigarette next to teammate Adam. 

The cricketer was once paid $200,000 to quit his rumoured 50 cigarettes a day habit.

At the beginning of 1999, the spin bowler inked a lucrative deal with nicotine substitute company Nicorette.

However just days before the four month sponsorship ended, Shane was spotted lighting up at a Barbados bar while on a West Indies tour, The Age reported.

'I had one cigarette in the West Indies and the Nicorette people know about that,' Shane admitted after photos of him smoking were published.

'It was the last night. Unfortunately I gave in to the temptation. It was after the disappointing way that the tour finished. It was late at night when I had had a night out with the lads.

'I was very disappointed at having it and hopefully I can still try to kick the habit. It's been a bloody lot harder than I thought.'

But Shane was unfortunately unable to quit the cigarettes, continuing to be pictured smoking over the next few years.

In 2011, Shane risked another fine when he smoked on airport premises in Indore, India, the Times Of India reported.

While dating Elizabeth Hurley in 2013, the ladies man was photographed smoking at the prestigious Ascot Racecourse.

The photos later went viral when the cricketer wrapped his mouth around a beer glass.

When he was a contestant on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2016, he was allowed to duck off screen for frequent breaks during filming on the show.

Later that year, Shane was photographed smoking a cigarette after completing a charity run for cancer.