Picture Credit: Twitter
It was a hard time for cricket fans and followers after one of the legends of the game Shane Warne tragically passed away on March 4 at 52. The right-arm leg-spinner was one of the greatest players ever to have played the game and died of natural causes in his villa in Thailand. As the world continues to mourn the death of the magician Warnie, family, friends and former cricketers were present at the private funeral in Melbourne as they bid farewell to the ex-cricketer.
It is being reported that the ceremony was a private one implying that it was only an invitation-only service at the St Kilda Football Club. This was the Australian Rules side that Warnie had supported throughout his life.
After his death, his body had to be flown to Melbourne in a private jet last week. Among those mourning his death at this private affair were his three children Brooke, Jackson, and Summer along with former international cricketers including Mark Taylor, Ian Healy, Mark Waugh, Michael Clarke, Glenn McGrath and Michael Vaughan. In addition, local media personalities were also present for the funeral.
Warne's coffin being given a lap of honour at St Kilda's home ground marked the end of the service. Tina Turner's "Simply the best" was played in the background as the procession left the field.
Other than the private funeral, a state memorial is scheduled for Warnie at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground which stands a witness to many of the spinner's tremendous achievements. The list includes his hat-trick against England in 1994 as well as the 700th Test wicket on the Boxing Day in 2006. The memorial is scheduled for March 30 and is open to the general public.