Shane Warne to get state funeral, confirms Australian PM Scott Morrison

Australian veteran spinner Shane Warne took his last breath on March 4, 2022.  The spin wizard was in Thailand when he passed away because of a heart attack. Warne’s death sent a shockwave across the cricketing fraternity as he was only 52-years old. In his honor, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 5 (Saturday) announced that the late spin legend will receive a state funeral.

Cricket Australia has also announced to rename a stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Warne’s honor as the world mourns the loss of one of its great sportspersons. Leg-spinner Warne is ranked second on the list of highest wicket-takers in the longest format of the game with 708 wickets to his name. The 52-year old is only behind Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who had picked up 800 wickets.

The spin wizard was lauded by many former and present cricketers for his many accomplishments. Amongst the 339 games Warne played for Australia, the leg-spinner won many games for his country single-handedly. The leg-spinner was instrumental in Australia’s successful campaign at the 1999 World Cup. Warne was the player of the match in both the semi-final and final of the tournament.

He was one of our nation’s greatest characters: PM Morrison

Writing on his Twitter account Morrison said that his countrymen were ”bewildered” by a ”sad and sudden” loss of Warne and the state funeral would be organized for him.

Writing on Twitter Morrison said, “He was one of our nation’s greatest characters. His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all. There was none like Shane. He lived his life his way. He had his great achievements, but also his regrets. He carried them all the same way.”

Australians have woken in shock and sadness to the awful news of the death of Shane Warne, aged just 52.

Shane was one of our greatest cricketers of all time, one of only a few that could approach the extraordinary achievements of the great Don Bradman. pic.twitter.com/SFxLxe0SQo

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 4, 2022

Australians loved him. We all did.

We are all bewildered today by this sad and sudden loss.

And for this to happen the day after losing the indomitable Rod Marsh, it doesn’t seem imaginable.

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) March 4, 2022

”With a cheeky smile and 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 delivery, and his engagement with the crowd. He was one of a kind,” Morrison added.