The news of Shane Warne’s death rocked not only his loved ones, but cricket fans around the globe.
In response to the tragic loss, Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed there will be a state funeral for the spin bowler, to recognise “one of our greatest cricketers of all time”.
The momentous service, to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the evening of March 30, has been organised by the federal and Victorian governments, Cricket Australia and Shane’s family.
Here’s how you can watch Shane Warne’s state memorial service around Australia
Shane Warne died while on holiday with friends in Thailand.
(Image: Getty)Mourners are expected to arrive at the MCG at 5.30pm, and a documentary screening of Goodbye Warnie will be played in the stadium before the service officially commences at 7pm.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews previously announced he had spoken with Shane’s family, who accepted an offer for the state funeral.
“There’s nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the ‘G,” he tweeted in the days after Shane’s death.
“It will be an opportunity for Victorians to pay tribute to his contribution to his sport, to our state and the country. It’ll be a very big event. It will be a celebration of his life as it should be,” he told reporters.
The premier said there will be no a cap on the crowd numbers at the MCG, which can hold up to 100,000 spectators.
WATCH: Simone Callahan’s tribute video to Shane Warne. Story continues after video.
It was later announced that 50,000 tickets for the event would be released to the public, with indiviudals welcomed to enter a ballot to receive one of the coveted seats.
Shane’s family, friends and fellow cricketing icons are expected to attend the event in Melbourne with his children Brooke, Jackson and Summer as well his father Keith delivering speeches.
British musicians Elton John, Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin as well as golfing star Greg Norman, former New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming and Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar will share video tributes.
Meanwhile his ex-fiancée Liz Hurley confirmed she will attend after missing his private funeral, as will ex-wife Simone Callahan.
Sydney fans will be able to attend a similar memorial at the Sydney Cricket grounds (SCG).
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the Sydney event will run alongside the one at the MCG, with unticketed free entry for Sydney mourners.
‘We want to run those events alongside each other. Obviously, we will live stream the memorial service in the MCG – that’s incredibly important,” he told reporters.
Other cricket grounds across the country are expected to host similar services in Shane’s memory, but the MCG will lead when its service begins at 7pm on March 30.
Shane will be farewelled in a state funeral on March 30 at the MCG.
(Image: Getty)Since Shane’s passing, devastated fans have flocked to the MCG to leave tributes of VB cans, letters and flowers next to the Shane Warne statue.
It’s also understood Shane’s family will hold a private service to say their goodbyes before the state funeral is held, likely within two or three weeks.
On Monday March 7, the 52-year-old’s body was transferred to a hospital for an autopsy, where it was determined he died from “natural causes”.
Later that same week, a private jet carrying Shane’s body touched down at Essendon Fields Airport in Melbourne.
Shane’s family and friends, including his personal assistant Helen Nolan, gathered to greet the jet which was flown by a company owned by Australian millionaire Terry Peabody.
The cricketer’s mother Brigitte was seen inside the hangar holding a white rose by her side.
Shane with his son Jackson.
(Image: Getty)On Saturday 5th March 2022, Australians woke up to the shocking news that Shane had died of a “massive” heart attack in Thailand, aged 52.
One of his friends had gone to wake the father-of-three up for food at about 5pm local time, but he wasn’t responsive.
His four friends then frantically performed CPR on him for 20 minutes until an ambulance arrived, but he was later pronounced dead in hospital.
Stunned by Shane’s death, the Prime Minister said that the cricketer brought “something magical” to Australian summers.
“His achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the game he loved,” he said in a statement.
For more on Shane Warne and his legacy, check out the following stories
Here’s how you can watch Shane Warne’s state memorial service around Australia
He was the ultimate cricket legend, but to his three kids Shane Warne was just Dad
“So similar in so many ways”: Shane Warne’s close bond with his eldest daughter Brooke
“I want him to be really proud of me”: How Jackson Warne stepped out of dad Shane Warne’s shadow
Here is how you can watch Shane Warne’s documentary ‘Shane’ for insight into his iconic story
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