And with that, we will wrap up tonight’s live blog covering Shane Warne’s funeral.
Here’s a quick summary of everything that happened:
- Eddie McGuire hosted the event, and unveiled the new Shane Warne Stand, replacing the Great Southern Stand in the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- Shane’s father, brother and children paid emotional tribute to the great man, remembering the joys and laughs he brought them.
- Rivals and teammates alike paid tribute to Warne, many remembering his fierce competitive spirit and his giving nature.
- Old friends relived hilarious stories and shared their favourite anecdotes from being around Warne.
- Andrea Egan of the United Nations Development Programme has revealed Warne had joined Lionshare, a UN conservationist program, and revealed the Shane Warne conservation grants.
- Musical acts littered the night, from Elton John to Jon Stevens and Ed Sheeran, all friends and admirers of Warne.
All in all, an emotional, fitting, hilarious and touching event that I think captured the many facets of Warne.
Greatest bowler of all time, greatest cricketer of all time, and one of the all-time great blokes. Vale Shane Warne.
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The tributes from #ShaneWarne kids are exactly what any parent can or should hope for once we are gone. The Warne children are three loving, respectful and kind young adults. He and Simone have done a brilliant job at raising them #ShaneWarneMemorial
— Dr Kirstin Ferguson (@kirstinferguson) March 30, 2022
Shane Warne Stand revealed
Backed by the classic Sinatra song My Way, the Shane Warne Stand is revealed, replacing the Great Southern Stand in the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This has been a wonderful tribute.
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McGuire has begun a countdown to the reveal of the Shane Warne Stand, saying he’ll never forget the incredible person Warne was:
He mixed with superstars and became one himself. Never forget the sprinkle that he sprinkled the gold dust on his friends and mates. Happy to sing-along to bangers and holding court with the biggest names in the commentary box. Proud of his foundation as being one of Wisden’s five greatest players.
He launched the Big Bash League because he wanted to play at the G in front of his kids and loved ones and put the star into the Melbourne Stars. Dining with the greatest names in three-star Michelin restaurants around the world and ordering in pizza! Opening one of the greatest contact books in the world for anyone who needed it. Loved and respected from England to the subcontinent and his beloved India and Sri Lanka. He went from being a wide-eyed boy with dreams to be a citizen of the world and left no one behind. He was a champion in every way. And now, every time we look into the great southern stand we will think of Shane.
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The stadium lit up for that musical tribute, but not for the last time. We’re wrapping up with Warne’s favourite team and their song, St Kilda’s When the Saints Go Marching In, played by Mat Jodrell. The stadium is bouncing now once again.
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We are nearing the end, with MC Eddie McGuire now asking attendees to light up the MCG with their phone torches, paying tribute to Warne’s “eclectic” musical taste, before welcoming Anthony Callea to sing Andrea Bocelli’s The Prayer.
Brooke wraps up her emotional tribute by saying Warne will always shine down on his children:
I already miss you, Dad. I feel like you’re on holiday, because you were always working out of Australia, but I know that’s not the case. But what makes me the saddest is, I will never get to wrap my arms around you and give you the biggest hug and rest my chin on your chest. Dad was our shining star in life and now he’s shining down on all of us. We will do you so proud, Dad and we are so proud of everything you have achieved. We’re going to do what you always told us – try our best and we will try our best to live in a world without you. I love you always, Dad.
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Brooke shares stories of her father’s picky eating and his many chats and laughs:
On holidays I would always want to try new foods and new restaurants and Dad wasn’t very experimental with foods so I would be the only one that would end up eating.
If he knew we were going out for dinner somewhere, where he wouldn’t eat anything, he would order room service beforehand and pretend he wasn’t hungry at dinner! That’s just who he was. I can’t believe there will never be another stupid argument around the table or a disagreement.
I will miss seeing your face when you’ve just woken up and you still look asleep. I will miss grabbing your big wrists and feeling your hands and saying that I have big fat fingers just like you. I will miss our chats just about how big our double chins are and how big our bellies are looking especially after we’ve just eaten our body weight in cheese, pizza and pasta.
I will miss our chats about life and about my plans and goals and I will miss hearing about all your exciting things you have planned and have coming up. I will miss seeing how excited you get over our achievements and your achievements.
We were both so stubborn and never wanted to back down. We had our differences, but the end of the day, we just wanted to love each other and we did. So much. I wanted the best for Dad and he wanted the best for me. My Dad just wanted to be the best Dad he could be. He would always want to play games, take us to parks, watch movies, and chill around the house. At the end of the day, he just wanted to be our Dad. He wanted to be a part of our lives in every possible way. We were so lucky.
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Finally, Brooke Warne, the last of the Warne children, steps up to pay tribute to her dad:
My dad taught me resilience and strength in so many ways, to always stand up for ourselves and what we believe in, to always try our hardest at everything we do. He would always tell us since we were little to be polite, manners are free, they cost nothing. And they will always leave such an impact. Little things over the years I will forever be so grateful for.
It doesn’t seem right that I won’t be able to hear him say, “Just do it, Brookester, tell them how you feel.”
We would play Monopoly and you could give me a chance to win we were both so happy. In one of the first games of cricket I ever played, you told me, “Just go out there and have fun because when you’re happy, good things will happen.” So that was the mindset I had for that game. I ended up taking a hat-trick and that’s a memory I will never forget. You were so proud of me. Although I didn’t go down the cricket path, you didn’t mind. You just wanted the best for me.
Jackson Warne, Shane’s son, steps up to commemorate his father, while first paying tribute to the crowd and thanking them for coming to the memorial:
It feels just like yesterday that we were looking at each other’s cards playing poker, eating pizza while watching the Saints. I’ll never forget how much fun we had doing simple things, grocery shopping, watching movies or going for walks during lockdown. We didn’t have to do much to be happy. Life was so easy and peaceful with you in it.
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I know you will be forever watching me and be by my side the whole time. I will cherish the 20 years of memories we have and I’m reunited with you again. I want to say thank you Dad. Thank you for all the kind gestures you did for me. They never went unnoticed. You drew memories in my mind I will never erase and you painted colours in my heart I will never replace. You will always live forever inside my heart Dad, and I will continue your legacy. Forever my Dad, no matter where you are. May you now rest in eternal paradise, I love you so unconditionally much.
Summer continues her emotional tribute, leaving not a single dry eye in the stadium, describing how much she will miss her father:
You always wanted to be around us and that is something I took for granted. Thinking that you were always going to be around... I really am going to miss you Dad.
It has been exactly 26 days since you went to heaven and I miss you more than anything in the whole world. I would do anything just to have one more of your cuddles and to hear your voice tell me how proud of me you were and how much you loved me.
I never thought one’s voice to bring such comfort until I can no longer hear it. I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that you won’t be able to walk down the aisle on my special day.
You’re not going to meet your grandchildren that you’re going to have some day, but instead you will be someone I will tell my kids about and how much of an amazing father you were to me.
You lived 100 lives, Dad. You never took anything for granted and you made sure you lived every day to the fullest.
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Summer Warne has continued, paying tribute to her father’s constant sense of joy, and talking about what kind of father he was:
When dad would walk into a room, the whole room would light up. He could make you crack a smile even if you didn’t feel like smiling that day. He made you feel appreciated and so loved. His infectious smile and laugh is something I’m going to forever miss.
He was an inspiration ... The kindness he forever showed, the reassurance you needed if you were down on yourself ... The humour he had without even trying to be funny and most of all, he was so thoughtful and one of the happiest people I ever knew.
When I was struggling, and I didn’t know how to go on with life because I was dealing with my own demons, you showed me how I could fall in love with life again. You told me that I could either live with these demons or fight with them and come out stronger at the end. You saved me, Dad. You truly did.
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Summer, Jackson and Brooke Warne remember their father
We’re nearing the end of the ceremony, with Warne’s three children clapped on stage.
Summer, Jackson and Brooke Warne begin their dedication to their father by talking about the song Summer of 69 and Warne’s ecstatic energy:
That song, Summer of 69, played on Wednesday, March 2, two days before your passing. And the last time I saw my dad. You were coming to pick up your bag you needed for Thailand.
And as I opened the door you came inside and had your car door wide open blaring that song. You started dancing and singing with true happiness all around you. With the smile that lit up the whole room.
We both started dancing with room. We both started dancing with not a care in the world, and couldn’t stop laughing with each other.
Looking back on that memory now, and it is so incredibly special as you, as the year you were born was 1969 and a verse in that song is, ‘When I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever. And if I had a choice I’d always want to be there. Those were the best days of my life.’
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Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has paid tribute in his own way, saying Warne had taken him under his wing, and in an emotional video says he could never say goodbye:
Thank you. That’s all I can say. Thank you for everything, mate. The way you looked after me. The way you treated me when I first came into that Australian team. I was such a baby. You took me under your wing. You looked after me like a little brother. You taught me so much about the game of cricket. You taught me more than that. The highs and lows of life and how sport is so similar to life. I was asked the other day how do you, how do you say goodbye? And I don’t think I ever can. But I can say I’ll see you later.
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Next up in the galaxy of stars paying tribute to the great man is superstar Ed Sheeran, who begins by saying Warne was an “incredible human”.
I’m so sorry I can’t be there. Shane was an incredible human to me and every single person that he came across and I’ve got such wonderful stories of him and people he didn’t even know that have wonderful stories of him that he gave so much of his time and energy and love to. And I just, he was such a great bloke. And I’m honoured to be playing tonight.
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Amid Jason’s speech was an incredible anecdote, of a friend saving Warne’s life when they were 13:
We will miss the many ways that Shane has touched our lives but we wouldn’t actually be here, though, if it wasn’t for a man called David Beck.
When Dave and Shane were 13 years old, Shane slipped when jumping off the pier at Half Moon Bay and knocked himself out.
Dave jumped in the water and saved his life. You gave us an extra 39 years with Shane and gave the world so much entertainment.
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Jason has concluded his touching speech by paying tribute to the bonds between brothers and sports:
The bonds created through sport last a lifetime. The bond of brothers lasts a lifetime. I’m very fortunate to have shared both of these bonds with him. He will leave a massive hole in my life that will never be filled. I will always love him and always miss my big brother. Rest in peace, mate.
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Jason says his brother would always practise signatures, and he was always proud of his brother’s patience for his fans:
Shane remembered his own childhood hero worship when he went from being the fan to the star.
One of his most cherished items was an autograph book full of signatures from all his heroes. He loved it and used to sit there for hours and practice their signatures until he could do them perfectly.
He never forgot this and I remember seeing him sit at the table at a game at St Kilda while his team was batting and he sat there for hours and the queue snaked around the ground and he just sat there and signed until they were finished and another reason I was always extremely proud of him.
When Terry Jenner first first showed him how to bowl the flipper, we sent Mum and Dad mad bowling to each other. We would go to the nets to see if either of us could land it. I couldn’t. But he got pretty good at it and it became a good weapon for him.
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Jason Warne has continued, discussing his relationship with his brother, and particularly their competitive spirit:
For Shane and I everything was a competition. Our competitiveness and stubbornness went to another level when we played Monopoly.
I’ve lost count of the amount of times the board got upended when one of us knew we couldn’t win. Like all big brothers, though, he also saw it as his job to torment me.
His go-to method were extremely long sessions of the typewriter, pinning me down with his knees. I hated it but he laughed so much.
But I got my revenge over the years. He never quite reach 6 foot tall. Always claimed it but he just didn’t. Every time he said I’m 183, I would say you’re 182. I knew all his triggers. Used to great joy on putting him on tilt.
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Jason Warne: my brother connected with us all in many ways
Shane’s brother, Jason Warne has now stepped up to give his own tribute to his brother, beginning by noting how difficult it could be to reckon with all the people Warne affected:
It’s been pretty good, hasn’t it? The impact my brother had during his remarkable life, it’s always been really difficult to comprehend. Although the last few weeks and the tributes and tonight has brought it all into sharp focus. Shane has connected with us all in many ways.
Whether it being entertained by his amazing exploits on the cricket ground, through the time he spent and putting a smile on the face of many children, or the times he’s met you in person, made you feel special, the tributes that have flowed over the past few weeks have been extremely heartfelt.
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Next up is a video message from one of Warne’s great rivals, Sachin Tendulkar, who says he’ll always miss him:
Warnie, I remember was always extremely competitive and everything possible to disturb opposition, to dismiss them, he would do. When someone batted well he was the first one to walk up to you and congratulate. That is how our friendship and respect for each other was. Warnie, my friend, I will miss you. I will miss you big time. You will continue to live in my heart. May your soul rest in peace.
Glenn McGrath is up next, talking about Warne’s positivity:
Well, the thing I probably loved about Shane is the effect he had on people – good, bad or indifferent – they all had an opinion on him. I remember talking to a group of people and they’d all have different opinions. A perception of him. Shane would walk across and have a chat and get to know them and within 30 seconds every single one of them loved him. There was a certain charisma he had, a certain aura about him that made people attracted to him and so positive. And it never ceased to amaze me the positive effect he had on so many people.
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We move on from what was a charming panel to a pre-recorded message and performance of Angels from Robbie Williams:
Before you meet him you think he’s my mate. And then when you meet him you know he’s definitely your mate. He was kind, charismatic, funny, charming and a gentleman.
I was looking forward to spending more time with him because you seldom come across that kind of energy with people. Easy company too. He was also a magician.
He also had the abilities just by being himself to transcend tribalism. And rise above it. He played for Australia.
He dismantled England too many times. Everybody on the planet who have seen him play and experienced - I don’t know - Warnie being Warnie, thinks he’s one of us.
Very few people on the planet can do that.
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Very happy to report Warne’s famous appearance on classic Australian comedy Kath and Kim has come up, with Glenn Robbins sharing an anecdote of what it was like to work with Warne:
He was fantastic. He came on set, just himself and Helen. No entourage. He turned up and so easy to work with. Had so much fun.
It was funny in the backyard because he played a Shane Warne impersonator — good gig. We had to play backyard cricket. We had to make out that he couldn’t play. The problem was even backyard cricket, he could play it really well. And so we said, “Shane, play left-handed. That will make you look stupid.”
He played left-handed, threw the stumps down, took every catch. Then he gave us a personal lesson on how to bowl the flipper with a tennis ball. That was magical.
Sam Newman spoke for many when he expressed his concern at what happened to Warne’s phone:
I hope someone has impounded his phone. No-one can see what was on it. We were treated to a cavalcade of incredible pictures and a round of golf in 4.5 hours. Your eyes would be out like organ stock. Extraordinary. For an old pensioner like me, I tell you what, it was heart-wrenching.
Aaron Hamill, shared a small story from his wedding day, of Warne attempting to convince his friends to rethink his decision:
I remember one particular moment ... he gave us a hug, and he whispered “Mate, it’s not too late.” And Shane being Shane, he pulled out two passports.
He managed to get his hands on my passport as a bit of a gag. But he was like that. He always had that, just that willingness and want to see people happy and he brightened up the mood.
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Second panel begins
The second panel, hosted by Andy Lee, has a group of men Warne called his friends, including former English cricketer Dimitri Mascarenhas, former AFL player Aaron Hamill, actor and comedian Glenn Robbins and former Australian rules footballer Sam Newman.
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Earlier, Warne’s long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan gave a hilarious little anecdote that I thought was worth sharing:
I remember a time you were having a particularly bad day and a guy came up and asked for your autograph and you said, “Yeah, mate. Have you got a pen? I’m not Mr Squiggle.
Ever since that day, I carry a Sharpie with me and I forever will. You loved that. You said you’d be lost without me. But now it’s going to be me who is lost without you.
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Aussie rocker Jon Stevens is on stage now, singing a medley of Warne’s favourite songs, starting with a rousing rendition of the INXS classic Never Tear Us Apart.
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In a fitting and surprising turn, Andrea Egan of the United Nations Development Programme has revealed Warne had joined Lionshare, a UN conservationist programme.
She has announced a grant, the Shane Warne conservation grants, which will memorialise his services and his commitment to environmental conservation:
The last time I spoke with him he expressed his passion for our work, his connections to Sri Lanka, and desire to be something bigger than him. He was a man of his word. He was generous. He used his fame to lean into the Lionshare at its most pivotal time for the planet. We wish we had had more time with him.
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Five time Logie winner Ray Martin has presented a video on the Shane Warne Foundation, assisting “seriously ill and underprivileged children and teenagers.”
Martin described how Warne saw his charity work, and how enthusiastic he was:
Warnie often spoke about how lucky he was, how important family and friends and that God given spinning finger of his. It’s part of the reason why me was so committed to his charity work, especially children and the need to give something back.
Like everything else he did in life, he played the charity game with gusto. As a member of his foundation’s board, I watched Warnie roll up his sleeves and go to work. Again, he was unstoppable. Raising most of the millions himself, giving away his treasured memorabilia as auction prizes, knocking on corporate doors, and networking his many sporting mates.
The video concludes with a piano piece from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
McGuire returns to the stage, and reads out a letter from James Packer, paying tribute to Warne:
The news of Shane Warne’s passing has shocked and confounded us all.
I’m deeply saddened and still coming to terms with it. My family were blessed to have Shane in our lives. He brought us so much warmth, happiness and joy.
Before I got to know Shane he was a dear friend of my father, Kerry, or KP as Shane called him. He adored him and loved him as a person and Shane adored Dad.
They both loved cricket, they loved to smoke and a bet as well. For Dad, one of his most touching moments was when Shane presented him with his own baggy green cap, there’s no greater honour in Australian cricket. Friendship doesn’t get better than that.
While Shane will be remembered for his exploits, I’ll remember him as a hero, a friend, a man who was brilliant, vulnerable, lovely and fiercely loyal, I could sneak a smoke with him, listen to music and share stories, our successes and failures.
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Some final reflections from the panel included some kind words from Mark Taylor, who said Warne made slow bowling “cool again”:
A big thank you to Warnie on behalf of cricket. He made slow bowling fashionable again. He made it cool. And I think we who were lucky enough, and AB and I captained him in particular, really appreciate it because it made us better captains and better leaders.
Merv Hughes adds a touching tribute, saying it was always about who Warne was as a person:
Basically, one of the most loyal people you know. And the people that don’t know him, think he is the way he is buzz of what he did in test cricket, but it’s the reverse. He did what he did because of the way he is. He’s a super bloke. And I feel sorry for the people around Australia that never met him.
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"I had no delight in playing against Shane. The word I should have used (to describe him) was nightmare." 😂
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) March 30, 2022
Nasser Hussain remembers the time he sledged Shane Warne ... and it backfired horribly 🙈 pic.twitter.com/pmjR5H4yV6
Allan Border and Mark Taylor have both shared stories about Warne, including an attempt to convince Border to get his ear pierced, and another where Taylor reflected on one of Warne’s battles with Sachin Tendulkar.
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The panel is asked to summarise Warne in one word, and Merv Hughes generates some laughs with his description:
Bogan. Deadset bogan.
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First panel up
We next have a panel hosted by Mark Howard, and featuring a raft of cricketing legends, including Mark Taylor, Allan Border, Merv Hughes, Nasser Hussain and Brian Lara.
And now Elton John is performing his classic hit Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me in tribute to Warne (featuring a magnificent collection of photos commemorating their friendship in the background).
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Hugh Jackman was up next, saying Warne was one of the “greatest cricketers to ever play the game”:
Today we mourn not only in Australia but all over the world an incredible life and achievements of Shane Warne.
But we also celebrate because Warnie, yes, one of the greatest cricketers to ever play the game, somehow as a human being reminded us to make the most of every single second. Man, he sucked the marrow out of life.
He was a great teammate. He loved the game of cricket. He loved his friends and family. He loved life. There was no one like you, Warnie and never will be again. We will miss you.
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Next, we have a montage of the many stars that Warnie could count as his friends.
First up was Kylie Minogue, who said his light “would continue to burn in our memories forever.”
I wanted to share a little story about Shane and his parents, Bridget and Keith, turning up to my parent’s house right here in Melbourne for a barbecue one day and opening the door.
There they are and Shane with his blue eyes and big cheeky smile, had it, had that star quality and charisma that the world got to know and love, but it was exactly the same on the front door step as it was out in the cricket field. S
o, yeah, he had it and took it everywhere he went and how lucky we were to get to know that.
That light will continue to burn bright in our memories forever more and we’ll miss you, Warnie. Vale, Warnie.
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Keith wraps up an emotional eulogy (without a dry eye in the room), with a fitting tribute:
We are grateful the world loved our son as we did and thankfully touched so many lives in so many ways.
Of course people will remember Shane in their own way but for us it will be his unconditional love for family and friends. His generosity and loyalty which knew no bounds.
And a joy he brought to so many people along the way who will forever bring us in Shane’s typical humble manner.
Shane said of himself, “I smoked, I drank, and I played a little cricket.” Mate, your mother and I can’t imagine a life without you.
You have been taken too soon and our hearts are broken.
Thank you for all you did for us. And for being such a loving and caring son.
Rest in peace, mate. Love you, Mum and Dad.
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Keith Warne shares an anecdote, of Shane Warne insisting he visit a child sick with cancer:
I remember I picked Shane up at Melbourne Airport when he arrived home after an extensive overseas test series. He asked me, “What’s been happening, Dad?”
As soon as I mentioned a little boy who had terminal cancer had been hanging on, hoping to meet Shane, he had me contact the father and see if it was OK for him to pop in and say hello.
We got the OK and went directly to the boy’s home. Shane stayed until the lad was starting to fall asleep which was a good two hours later.
Then I drove Shane home to see his own children. This is who he was. This summed up Shane’s character as a man who took great responsibility in using his profile and privilege to bring good into the lives of people less fortunate than himself.
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Keith then reflects on Shane’s love for children and his fans, and the time he would give to both:
What Shane achieved was unimaginable but for his mother and I it was the things Shane did and the things he did away from the cricket field we will hold up as his finest achievements.
He was a doting father who loved and adored his children. He was a loving and caring son and brother. He was a sports hero who happily handed out autographs and stood for photos, sometimes for hours on end.
He was a man who would be prince or pauper and give you the same undivided attention – warmth and respect. He was a person that would make everybody feel very special. What the world didn’t always see was that Shane spent a lot of his time helping kids, especially sick and underprivileged kids. It was always about putting smiles back on young people’s faces. Kids loved him and he loved kids.
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Keith Warne has remembered his son’s first steps onto the Sydney Cricket Ground, and his own pride at seeing his son play:
It felt like no time at all before we went from watching Shane play local grades of cricket with his mates, to watching him nervously walk out on to the SCG for his test debut in 1993.
As he did, the words congratulations Shane Warne on being a 350th Australian test cricketer lit up on the big screen. It then dawned on me in over 100 years of Australian cricket, there’s only ever 350 cricketers to achieve that honour.
How proud we were. It wasn’t sunny but a few pair of sunglasses might have come out. From there it felt like one outstanding achievement after another. Among them, the claiming of his one and only hat-trick in 1994 and getting his 700th wicket in 2006, both here at his beloved G.
They were two of his all-time favourites, as I’m sure they are for many of you here tonight.
Keith Warne has continued, reminiscing about Shane’s incredible love of sport, and more specifically, of winning:
Shane loved life and lived for sport. When he was younger, our role as parents were always centred around getting him to training and wherever he was playing, whether it was playing athletics, basketball, tennis, football or crick. We marveled at his hand eye coordination and his natural talent was tempering his will to win at any cost.
At the same time not wanting to blunt the incredible compet spirit he’s become so well known for.
Looking back on that send-off that Shane gave to Andrew Hudson in Johannesburg in 1994, it may not have been his finest moment but he had certainly retained the fiery competiveness.
In his early days, Shane honed his sport and love of outwitting an opponent with his poor unsuspecting younger brother, Jason. For instance, he would tell Jason how quick he was and as he was so much quicker than Shane, why doesn’t he run up the local shop and get him a chocolate bar and Coke.
You’re so fast, Shane would say. Young Jason fell for it every time and off to the shop he would go.
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Warne's father speaks about his son
Following that moving montage, Warne’s father, Keith, has stepped up to give a eulogy for his son. He first begins by paying tribute to the authorities who helped bring Warne’s body home, before also thanking the state government for helping organise the service.
Keith then described Shane’s death as the “darkest day” in his family’s life.
Friday March 4, 2022, darkest day in our family’s life. It was a day that our son, Shane Keith Warne, was tragically and suddenly taken from us. Our family loss of a loved son, a loving brother to Jason and a devoted father to Brooke, Jackson and Summer.
And the world lost a much-loved cricketing legend whose feats on and off the cricket field will go down in history for all time. Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable. We do take comfort in knowing that Shane packed more in his life of 52 years, five months and 19 days than most people would in two lifetimes.
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As we watch a fantastic montage of Warne’s greatest moments, we’d like to ask you to share with us your favourite memories of Warne in the comments below. We want to hear it all, your favourite wicket, a random run-in, your favourite moment. Fire away!
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Next we have a rather unique video presentation from Eric Bana on Warne’s early days in the AFL. The footage includes a heap of charming old footage of Warne playing AFL, and then his early days in cricket, complete with glorious mullet.
Bana sums up the early days of his football career:
It’s hard to believe now given his extraordinary athletic skills he was a natural with cricket, tennis and golf, Warnie couldn’t crack it with footy.
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McGuire then introduces the official party, which includes David Hurley, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Governor of Victoria Roz Spence, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and a raft of politicians.
Of note was the booing that greeted Morrison’s name.
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Eddie McGuire has begun precedings as master of ceremonies, thanking everyone for attending, saying the MCG was Warne’s “backyard.”
his is the field of dreams, Warnie’s backyard, right here, David Boon in pretty much the same position he was when he thrust out the right hand and took Warnie’s hat-trick.
Great to have you here tonight. Over there was the old Southern Stand where a 13-year-old Shane Warne in 1982 came with his father and brother that they could meet the Poms.
Ian Bothan knocked them over sadly. Do you reckon he would have thought they’d become his best friends in life? Becoming wonderful people in his life.
McGuire then introduces Sir Donald Bradman’s granddaughter, Greta Bradman, to sing the national anthem.
Wurundjeri man Alex Kerr has begun by giving a welcome to country and sharing a small memory on Warne’s warmth and love, saying he once invited him into the locker with the rest of the team:
Like most of you here tonight, I too have memories of Shane. When I was eight years old, I was at the MCG test with my grandfather.
I was sitting in the members’ section where the Aussies would run down the race. We were batting at the time and we had a rare batting collapse. When it was Warnie’s turn to bat, I remember him walking past me.
His batting stint, though, was quicker than the walkout to the ground. But what happened when he got back was just amazing. It was dead silent, as Warnie walked up the race.
I stood up on my chair and within ear shot I said: “Well batted, Warnie.” The crowd giggled. Warnie came up to me, rubbed my hair and said, “Cheers, little man.” Warnie came back down 10 minutes later and asked me how would I like to spend the rest of the day with the team.
Of course I said yes. That was an experience that I’ll never forget. But that wasn’t the best part. For the next two years, Warne would write me letters for nothing other than just to see how I’m going.
This man was an outright rock star. For him to do that just goes to show no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve achieved in your life, it’s important to always stay humble and care for everyone. This is life lessons I’ve carried ever since that moment.
So I just want to say thank you to Warnie. In conclusion, I’d like to say I wish to welcome you all from the tops of the trees and the roots in the ground and I truly believe if we look after this country it will look after us. Thank you. Rest easy, King.
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Memorial service begins
To thunderous chants of Warnie echoing around the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the state memorial service for Shane Warne has begun.
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We’re about to begin, but if you’re looking for some reading before the service gets under way, I would highly recommend Jonathan Liew’s column on Warne’s death:
The Menner family has driven from Rye on the Mornington Peninsula to be at Shane Warne’s memorial in Melb. Sam, 13, (left) has been ‘heartbroken’ since his hero died. His family also came to the MCG after Warne died so he could leave a cricket ball at Warne’s statue @Ninecomau pic.twitter.com/9yX4MTf9L7
— Serena Seyfort (@serena_seyfort) March 30, 2022
Fans, friends and stars have begun streaming into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the memorial:
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Bit of a rush now to get into the MCG. Warnie’s statue very popular today. pic.twitter.com/CdF11Vvsnf
— Blake Johnson (@BlakeJohnson) March 30, 2022
The Melbourne Cricket Ground appears to be transformed for the memorial, with a huge stage laid out in the middle, and the pitch fitted out to feel like a cricket match. A fitting stage for Warnie’s send off.
People showing their love for #ShaneWarne before his state memorial #tattoo @abcmelbourne pic.twitter.com/x8VxTDgxcX
— Iskhandar Razak (@Isk137) March 30, 2022
Tonight will also mark the official unveiling of the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s ‘Shane Warne Stand.’
The 45,000 capacity Great Southern Stand will be renamed the Shane Warne Stand (chosen ahead of the SK Warne Stand), with the legendary bowler’s full name preferred for the stand by his family.
Host Eddie McGuire had previously said it was fitting the Great Southern Stand was renamed after Warne, having been initially open in the 1930s to allow the public to watch cricket.
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Fans have been streaming into the MCG for a while now, with the stadium expected host 60,000 people for the service.
One fan outside the ground spoke to ABC News, and seemed to capture how many of the attendees are feeling:
He’s a legend, he’s just absolutely a legend.
I have followed cricket since I was nine years old, I am a lot older now, but he is just Australian, he is just somebody that anybody can actually relate to.
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Order of service for Shane Warne's memorial
And we have the official order of service for tonight, which will begin at 7pm:
- Welcome to country
- Master of Ceremonies – Eddie McGuire
- Australian National Anthem – Greta Bradman
- Family tribute – Keith Warne
- Panel hosted by Mark Howard – Mark Taylor, Allan Border, Merv Hughes, Nasser Hussain and Brian Lara
- Reflection – Andrea Egan
- Performance – Jon Stevens
- Panel hosted by Andy Lee – Dimitri Mascarenhas, Aaron Hamill, Glenn Robbins and Sam Newman
- Family tributes – Jason Warne, Summer Warne, Jackson Warne and Brooke Warne
- Performance – Anthony Callea
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Good evening, Mostafa Rachwani with you to take you through Shane Warne’s memorial service at the hallowed MCG.
We are expecting tens of thousands of mourners and fans to attend tonight, in addition to a raft of celebrity guests including Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, James Packer, Eric Bana, Greg Norman and Kelly Slater. Everyone will be paying their respects to the great man who died suddenly of a heart attack in Thailand earlier this month.
Television personality Eddie McGuire’s production company has put the event together and he will be hosting the memorial.
A number of local and international musical acts are expected to perform both live in-person and with prerecorded songs including Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran.
Jon Stevens is set to front a band playing a medley of Warne’s favourite INXS and Noiseworks songs while Anthony Callea will also sing.
Warne’s father, Keith, is expected to give a speech. Warne’s three children and his brother, Jason, will also be in attendance.
The scale of the memorial reflects how much Warne meant to people here in Australia and around the world.
The memorial is due to begin at 7pm local time (in about 45 minutes) and will run for more than two hours. Stick around for reactions and live updates as we celebrate the life and times of Warnie.
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