Shane Warne state funeral live updates: More than 50,000 people will gather for the memorial at the stadium where Warne produced some of his milestone moments — including taking his 700th wicket in test cricket in 2006, something he was the first to achieve. (AP) Shane Warne funeral Highlights: Crowds gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday as Australians said their final goodbyes to Shane Warne. The former leg-spinner, considered one of the greatest cricketers of all-time, died aged 52 earlier this month from a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand.
A private funeral has already been held, attended by dozens of celebrities including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan.
More than 50,000 people gathered for the memorial at the stadium where Warne produced some of his milestone moments — including taking his 700th wicket in test cricket in 2006, something he was the first to achieve. Warne’s three children officially unveiled the new Shane Warne Stand at the MCG, with the Frank Sinatra classic ‘My Way’ playing in the background. A statue of Warne in a full delivery stride already stands outside the stadium and has become an unofficial place for people to reflect and lay tributes for the last three weeks.
Warne’s three children — Brooke, Jackson and Summer — were on stage during the two-hour memorial which was broadcast live across Australia and included the musical performances as well as video tributes from, among others, India’s cricket great, Sachin Tendulkar.
The 52-year-old Warne was found unresponsive in his villa hotel in Koh Samui on Friday night and could not be revived at a nearby hospital. (Cricket Australia)
Warne's three children officially unveiled the new Shane Warne Stand at the MCG, with the Frank Sinatra classic 'My Way' playing in the background.
After Shane Warne's children's tributes to their father, Anthony Callea performs a rendition of Andrea Bocelli's 'The Prayer'. That is followed by jazz trumpeter Matt Jordell's performance.
Shane Warne's three children Brooke, Jackson and Summer paid emotional tributes to their father.
Musician Ed Sheeran performed 'Thinking Out Loud' a tribute by video during a memorial service for Shane Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The singer also revealed that Warne's family asked him to play it as it was his favourite Sheeran song.
'Warnie, I remember was always extremely competitive and everything possible to disturb opposition, to dismiss them, he would do. When someone batted well he was the first one to walk up to you and congratulate. That is how our friendship and respect for each other was. Warnie, my friend, I will miss you. I will miss you big time. You will continue to live in my heart. May your soul rest in peace.'
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Singer Jon Stevens and Chris Martin performed on the occasion. Stevens sang a cover of the INXS song 'Never Tear Us Apart' and a version of his band Noiseworks' hit song 'Take Me Back'. While Martin performed an acoustic version of the Coldplay song 'Yellow', with the band currently on tour in Central America.
When asked what it was like to play against Warne, former England skipper Nasser Hussain recalled the time he got into a war of words with him during an ODI. "He had been sledging me all day and he brought himself onto bowl because AB had told him 20 years earlier if you're struggling pick a fight with someone. He picks a fight with me. I sledged him for some apparent reason and I've said something like 'enjoy your last game as captain, Steve Waugh is back next game. You're never going to captain Australia again', which at the time seemed a really good thing to do."
Former Australia fast bowler Merv Hughes was a close friend of Warne and also delivered a fitting tribute. Mark Taylor, Allan Border, Nasser Hussain and Brian Lara share their memories.
Friends within the cricket fraternity and entertainers described him as loyal and always ready to help and would talk equally to people from all walks of life. He remained in cricket as a popular television pundit.
Hello and welcome to the live updates on the state funeral service to the legend Shane Warne at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium (MCG) where a section at the vast venue will be renamed in Warne's honor. A statue of Warne in a full delivery stride already stands outside the stadium and has become an unofficial place for people to reflect and lay tributes for the last three weeks.