The family of cricket legend Shane Keith Warne will be taking the next few days to consider an offer of a state memorial from the federal and Victorian governments as fans visit statue at the MCG to leave tributes.
A permanent tribute for Warne will be established at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the location of a number of his history-making moments.
It was there where he achieved his 700th wicket on Boxing Day in 2006. It was also the site where he became the 91st person to take hat-trick in an Ashes series Test Match in 1994.
Fans pay their respects to Shane Warne outside the MCG in Melbourne. Source: AAP / AAP
"I can think of no finer tribute to the greatest cricketer this state has ever produced than to rename the stand the SK Warne stand,” he said on Saturday at the MCG where a pile of floral tributes and messages for Warne are accumulating.
"No matter what happens to the stand in the future. Whether it is rebuilt, refurbished, renovated, it will remain the SK Warne stand in perpetuity because his legend will live in perpetuity.”
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials are arriving in Thailand's second largest island of Koh Samui today to help return Warne's body to Australia.
The 52-year-old was found unresponsive in a villa, after one of his friends reportedly tried to perform CPR on him after a suspected heart attack, according to Reuters news agency.
Mr Pakula said he expects fans will be adding to the floral tributes to Warne's statue at the MCG over the next week.
"He was beloved by cricket fans and Victorians for a long, long time. And I would expect that without me saying or needing to do anything, people will be coming down here all day, all weekend — well into next week.
"It is a really tough day. It's a really emotional day."
State memorial plans
Warne, who was born in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully, leaves behind daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, and son Jackson, 22.
In the immediacy of their grief, his family has not yet formally accepted the offer of a state memorial from the federal and Victorian governments.
"That [memorial plans] will take a few days to unfold; and understandably they need time to grieve," Mr Pakula said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said many Australians have been inspired by Warne's achievements and story and they will want a chance to say farewell.
"Shane combined the most incredible natural talent with a determination to succeed; and an application that made him one of the greats," he said in a video.
"And in doing so, he showed young boys and girls — not just here in Australia but all around the world — what you could achieve if you set your mind to it.
"It is important that we honour him both as a great Victorian, but a great Australian. And I am sure we will be able to do those things together.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity to further celebrate his memory. But at this time we again think of his family — of all those who knew him well and are now just terribly sad at the passing of such a great Australian character, a good mate, a dad, and a fellow Australian."
Cricket community in mourning
Warne was ranked second in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers, taking 708 wickets at 25.14 apiece over his career, which saw him play 145 Test matches between 1992 and 2007.
He was Australia's greatest ever bowler and arguably the country's second-greatest cricketer in history behind Don Bradman.
All up he finished with 1,001 international wickets across all formats, earning spots in the ICC, Australian cricket and Australian sport Hall of Fame.
Cricket Australia chief executive Lachlan Henderson said his achievements are innumerable.
"A legend of the game, he elevated leg spin bowling to cult status at a time when pace bowling was dominating our game," he said.
He said the grief felt by members of Australia’s cricket community has only deepened, with Warne’s death coming a day after the loss of cricket legend Rod Marsh at the age 74.
"Cricketers will unite in good times and in sad and tough times as well."
Politicians pay tribute
Federal Treasurer and fellow Victorian Josh Frydenberg described the former star as a "unique character with a remarkable talent and zest for life".
"Shocked and saddened by the passing of Shane Warne," Mr Frydenberg tweeted.
"For Australians he was family. We watched him. Laughed with him. Admired him.
"Will miss you, mate. Rest In Peace."
Fans leave floral tributes and messages in memory of Shane Warne outside the MCG in Melbourne on 5 March 2022. Source: AAP / AAP
"It was a joy to watch him play," Mr Albanese tweeted. "My thoughts go to the ones who loved him the most. We will miss you Warnie."
Deputy Prime Minister Barnarby Joyce said Warne was a "genius" and the 52-year- old's death was an incredible shock.
Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd said Warne was "larger than life".
"Both cricket and the country so much poorer for his passing," he said.
UK PM Boris Johnson said Warne, who he described as "a cricketing genius", made an incredible impression on him during their encounters.
'Loyal beyond loyal': Sporting stars share memories of Warne
From modern cricketing greats like England's Ben Stokes to all-time legends of the game like Viv Richards, the overwhelming reaction was that the great bowler's death at the age of just 52 on Friday seemed unthinkable.
Australia men’s captain Pat Cummins said he grew up idolising Warne, saying the legend's impact was such that he transcended the game.
"He had a huge affect on all he met. He transcended cricket," he said.
Warne was such a larger-than-life character that his old foes on the field who became his great friends in the TV commentary box were left stupefied.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan captured it best as he said of Warne: "Everyone wanted to be around him but ultimately he was just a normal guy who could do incredible things.
Shane Warne cheers as he is carried on the shoulders of Michael Clarke (left) and Andrew Symonds (right) after winning the 5th Ashes Test cricket match against England in Sydney on 5 January 2007. Source: AAP / AAP
"Shane was the greatest ever cricketer but more than that his character lit up every dressing room, comm box, bar, golf club & friendship group.
"His energy and positivity was beyond anyone I have ever known, he was loyal beyond loyal."
Cricket Australia and the International Cricket Council remarked upon his impact as someone who inspired so many to take up cricket.
"The man who inspired many kids to take up leg-spin bowling. Thank you, Shane Warne," the ICC wrote on Twitter.
England men's cricket team holds a minute's silence
West Indian legend Richards, who, like Warne, was one Wisden's five cricketers of the century, said: "Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true ... There are no words to describe what I feel right now. A huge loss for cricket."
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who alongside Brian Lara was the batsman who Warne felt was the best he'd bowled to, said simply: "Will miss you Warnie.
Former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne (right) during the first Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane in 2010. Source: AAP / Gareth Copley/PA
"Gone too young!"
Lara himself wrote on social media: "My friend is gone!! We have lost one of the Greatest Sportsmen of all time!! RIP Warnie!! You will be missed."
Another Indian batting legend Virat Kohli described Warne as the "goat" — greatest of all-time — saying: "Life is so fickle and unpredictable.
"I cannot process the passing of this great of our sport and also a person I got to know off the field. RIP #goat. Greatest to turn the cricket ball."
Shane Warne (left) and Steve Waugh hold the World Cup Trophy during a Ticker-tape Parade through Melbourne, in celebration of the Australian Cricket team's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Cricket World Cup Final at Lords Cricket Ground, London Source: Getty / Tony Feder
His fellow Indian star, paceman Jasprit Bumrah said he was "shocked beyond words ... A legend of our game, an icon, and someone who revolutionised spin bowling."
Pakistan's Babar Azam, who's captaining his side against Australia in the current Test, said: "Find it hard to believe.
"Such a devastating loss for the cricket world. He literally inspired generations with his magical leg spin. You'll forever be missed."
Shane Warne on the first tee during day two of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie on 1 October 2021. Source: Getty / Malcolm Mackenzie/PA
England allrounder Stokes wrote on Instagram that it "was an honour to know and work with" Warne.
"This man is a LEGEND," he added.
The England men's team, who are in the Caribbean preparing for a three-Test series against the West Indies, stood for a minute's silence in honour of Warne before their match in Antigua.
Mike Gatting, the victim of Warne's "Ball of the Century" at Old Trafford in the 1993 Ashes, called his old Ashes tormentor "the number one bowler ever" in Test history.
"There have been a lot of great cricketers, great spinners and great legspinners but Warnie will always be certainly, from my point of view, the number one," said the former England captain.
Sir Vivian Richards, an Antiguan retired cricketer who represented the West Indies cricket team between 1974 and 1991, said the death is a huge loss.
"Unbelievable. I am shocked to the core. This can't be true."
Sports broadcaster Matt Kabir Floyd said Warney, as he was affectionately nicknamed, was a "genuine hero" whose achievements extended beyond sports.
Entertainment industry stars also remember Warne
Hollywood star Russell Crowe tweeted he was having a hard time accepting the news.
"Genius player. Grand company. Loyal friend," he tweeted.
Australian actor Magda Szubanski said she woke up in the middle of the night to the "terrible news" and is in "compete shock".
"Incredible to think that bright, cheeky spark has been snuffed out," she said in a message on Twitter.
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger said he was saddened by Warne's passing.
"He brought such joy to the game and was the greatest spin bowler ever," he tweeted.
With additional reporting by AAP.
