Family of Shane Warne offered state funeral as tributes to former cricketer continue

By George Ramsay, CNN

Updated 1329 GMT (2129 HKT) March 5, 2022

Warne waves to the crowd during the final match of his career in 2007.

(CNN)The family of Australian cricketer Shane Warne has been offered a state funeral following his death, Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews announced on Saturday.

Warne, widely considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time, died on Friday aged 52 after suffering a suspected heart attack in Thailand. The sporting world has since paid tribute to Warne, who took 708 test wickets over the course of his distinguished 15-year career. «Our hearts are breaking for Shane's family and friends — and they are in the thoughts of all Victorians,» Andrews said in a statement. «I have offered a State Funeral to his family so Victorians can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state, community and country. Read More»Rest in peace, Warnie." In a tweet, Andrews also said that the Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand as a «permanent tribute» to the spin bowler, who was brought up in the Melbourne suburb of Black Rock. Flowers, photos, beer cans and scarves were placed outside the MCG and under a statue a Warne on Saturday. Flowers are placed at the base of a statue dedicated to Warne at the MCG. Meanwhile, a moment of silence was observed and players wore black armbands in memory of Warne and former Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, whose death was also announced this week, during Australia's Women's World Cup opener against England. During the match, leg spinner Alana King twice patted her black armbands after taking the wicket of Tammy Beaumont. And ahead of the second day of the men's test between Australia and Pakistan,