Family of Shane Warne bids him farewell at private funeral

Shane Warne's family and close friends have held a private funeral for the cricket legend with a state memorial set for 30 March.

Shane Warne private funeral.jpg

Credit: AAP

Shane Warne's family and friends gathered at a private funeral in Melbourne to say their final goodbyes to the cricketing legend.

Warne's three children, parents and close friends were among those attending the service on Sunday morning.

The 52-year-old died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui on 4 March .
A state memorial will take place at the MCG on 30 March, where the wider public will be able to pay their respects to an Australian icon.

The ground's Great Southern Stand will also be renamed in Warne's honour.

The cricketing legend's death little more than two weeks ago led to an outpouring of grief from people around the world, as well as those closer to home.
St Kilda Cricket Club coach Glenn Lalor told AAP about his time playing with Warne in the early 2000s.

"Every time Shane was available he would love coming back and playing with us, which was great," Mr Lalor said.

"The boys appreciated playing with a legend.
"He was just an everyday bloke that just wanted to be around and enjoy the day. He was never hard to deal with, he was always fun."

Mr Lalor said Warne made sure even elite cricket retained a sense of joy.

"He had a point of difference," he said. "There's a lot of professionalism, I suppose, in cricket now but he just kept it real."

Club president Paul Ryan said: "Shane was the greatest cricketer our club has produced in its 168-year history.

"However, just as importantly he was also a great friend to many at our club and supporter of our club.

"Shane is, and will continue to be, greatly missed (but) we are very conscious that our loss needs to be kept in perspective with the devastation being felt by his children and family."

Share
2 min read
Published 20 March 2022 1:51pm
Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends