Shane Warne's family offered state funeral for cricket legend

The family of cricket great Shane Warne has been offered a state funeral after his sudden death.

Warne died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand overnight. He was 52.

«Victoria has lost an icon. Australia has lost a legend. And the entire cricket world is mourning the loss of the King,» Premier Daniel Andrews said in a statement.

Warne was born in Melbourne's outer-eastern suburbs in 1969.

He began his cricketing career in Victoria before becoming one of the game's greatest and a household name.

Mr Andrews confirmed he had offered a state funeral to Warne's family «so Victorians can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state, community and country».

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the state funeral for «one of our greatest cricketers of all time» would be organised by the federal and Victorian governments, Cricket Australia and Warne's family.

In a statement, Mr Morrison said Warne brought «something magical» to Australia's summers, and he was bewildered by the sad and sudden loss.

«His achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the game he loved,» Mr Morrison said.

«But Shane was more than this to Australians. Shane was one of our nation's greatest characters. His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all.

»Australians loved him. We all did."

Mourners began laying flowers at the MCG on Saturday morning after hearing the news.

Mr Andrews said the spin king defined a cricketing generation and «gave us irreplaceable MCG memories».

«The Ashes hat trick, his 700th wicket and calming Bay 13 in his trackies. His performance on the pitch drew us to the game that he cared so deeply for,» he said.

«Nobody who saw Shane Warne play will ever forget