1 lakh to witness Shane Warne's state funeral at MCG

A crowd of close to 100,000 people will witness Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne’s state funeral at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The honorary ceremony is expected to take place in a week or two from now, shortly after Warne’s family mourn him at a private service.

While James Erskine, Warne’s manager, did not confirm MCG being the venue for the ceremony, he did hint at the iconic stadium as being the most appropriate location. “But where else?” Erskine told 'The Age'. Reports suggested that the funeral will coincide with the Australian Rules Football League (AFL) season. However, MCG “will make all necessary arrangements to accommodate the service”.

A date for the ceremony is yet to be decided as Warne’s family still await the return of his body to Melbourne. Both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews are willing to attend the ceremony and are working in tandem with Warne’s family for an appropriate date. The MCG was not only Warne's favourite venue but also the site of his memorable hat-trick against England on Boxing Day in 1994 when he took the wickets of Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough, and Devon Malcolm.

Warne’s statue stands tall at the MCG, and people have been paying their respects to the legend with flowers, beer cans of Victoria Bitter, packets of cigarettes, and meat pies. MCG authorities also recently announced to rename the Southern Stand after Warne. It will now be called the ‘SK Warne Stand’.

Warne succumbed to a sudden heart attack on Friday, shortly after mourning the death of former Australian wicket keeper Rodney Marsh, who bid adieu to the world in a similar manner. Cricket Australia, Western Australia, South Australia, the state cricket associations of Victoria, along with St Kilda Cricket Club, where Warne played, will shortly discuss commemorations for the two greats of Australian cricket.