Shane Warne’s private funeral date is confirmed with invitations sent out to Warnie’s family and his closest mates after his tragic death in Thailand
Shane Warne’s nearest and dearest will farewell the late cricket icon in private ahead of a state funeral at the MCG later this month.
Close friends will join Warne’s parents Keith and Brigette and his children Brooke, Jackson and Summer at a private funeral in Melbourne this Sunday.
Invitations have been sent out to cricketing pals, former teammates, poker playing buddies, media colleagues and mates from his beloved St Kilda AFL club by the family.
The much loved spin bowling legend will then be honoured at a state memorial at the MCG on March 30, which will be attended by celebrity friends and at least 50,000 fans.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and singer Ed Sheeran are expected to send video messages to be played on big screens.
Warne’s former fiancée, actress Elizabeth Hurley will likely fly out from the UK.
Preparations for his private and public farewells continue, almost two weeks after Warne’s death from a suspected heart attack at an island resort in Thailand rocked the world.
The state memorial will be ticketed and live-streamed for those who can’t attend, with tickets to be made available to the public soon.
Around 100,000 people are expected to attend the twilight service at the MCG; the scene of Warne’s famous Ashes hat-trick in 1994 and 700th Test wicket on Boxing Day in 2006.
People wanting to attend the event will be able to enter a public ballot for one of 50,000 tickets.
Sydney Cricket Ground will host a livestream event of the service while other grounds across Australia are looking at doing the same, including Adelaide Oval.
More to come.
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