Shane Warne: Autopsy shows Australian cricket legend's death due to natural causes

Thai police said Australian cricket great Shane Warne's death last week was due to natural causes.

Warne's family had been informed of the results of an autopsy and had accepted the finding, deputy national police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said.

He added that Warne's body will now be transferred to Australian consular officials for return to his family.

"Today investigators received the autopsy result, in which the medical opinion is that the cause of death is natural," Kissana said.

"Investigators will summarize the autopsy result for prosecutors within the timeframe of the law."

Warne, one of the finest spin bowlers of all time whose talent and personality transcended the sport, died on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday age 52.

His death prompted an avalanche of tributes from and beyond the cricketing world with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison describing him as "one of our nation's greatest characters."

Warne, whose 708 Test wickets is the second-highest haul in history, will be afforded a state funeral in his home state of Victoria, officials said Saturday.

Fans have continued to lay floral tributes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s Shane Warne statue, while the stadium’s Great Southern Stand will be renamed the SK Warne Stand in the spin king’s honour.

People pay their respects at a statue of former Australian cricket great Shane Warne outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AFP