Cricket legend Shane Warne to receive state funeral, says Australian PM
People pay their respects to Shane Warne at his statue outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Saturday. Reuters
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said Australians were "bewildered" by a "sad and sudden loss" of Shane Warne, and announced the cricketing hero would receive a state funeral.
"He was one of our nation's greatest characters," Morrison said, marking the 52-year-old's death.
Praising him as inspiration to backyard cricketers across the country, Morrison described a larger-than-life character who lit up each Australian summer.
"His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all."
In recognition of Warne's "national achievements his family will be offered a state funeral," Morrison said in a statement.
"This will be done in consultation with the Warne family," he said, promising to "ensure we honour Shane's passing and memory."
Morrison — who recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation — compared Warne to all-time great and fellow Australian Don Bradman.
"There was none like Shane," Morrison said. "He lived his life his way. He had his great achievements, but also his regrets. He carried them all the same way. With a cheeky smile & a zest for life."
"There was something magical that he brought to our summers. The bleached blonde hair, the almost casual way he moved to send down a delivery, and his engagement with the crowd. He was one of a kind."
"He inspired so many girls and boys to try their hand at cricket. He made it all look so easy. At some point, in most Australian backyards, we all tried to deliver a flipper."
"Our love and condolences go to Shane's family and particularly his children Brooke, Jackson, and Summer."
Australians mourn cricket great ‘Warnie’
Australians laid tributes of flowers and beer bottles at a statue of Shane Warne in Melbourne on Saturday.
Warne's death dominated Australian media on Saturday, pushing news of devastating floods on the east coast of Australia and the war in Ukraine off the top of news bulletins and websites.
On social media, tributes from fellow players were joined by celebrity fans such as rock stars Mick Jagger, Elton John and Ed Sheeran.
Martin Pakula, sports minister of Warne's home state Victoria, said the Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where the spinner took his 700th wicket on Boxing Day 2006, would be renamed the SK Warne Stand. The new moniker references the cricketer's first and middle name, Keith.
A sombre stream of people laid flowers, cricket balls and beer bottles at the foot of the statue showing Warne in full flight as a bowler.
"I came to pay my respects for a guy who just loved sport, who loved all sports, football, cricket," said professional Australian rules football player Tom Mitchell, 28, as he left a football.
David Latta, 64, a local resident who attended many of Warne's matches at the MCG, said "everybody wanted to be this guy. Everybody."
Agencies
