Tens of thousands of people gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday to pay their respects to iconic Australian cricketer Shane Warne, with Sir Elton John, former England captain Nasser Hussain, and Warne’s family among those who paid their respects.
The former leg-spinner, regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, died earlier this month at the age of 52 following a suspected heart attack while on vacation in Koh Samui, Thailand.
Warne’s closest friends and family attended a private funeral service in Melbourne last week, but all were invited to Wednesday’s televised memorial, where his father Keith mourned the loss of “a loving and caring son” and former teammates remembered a fierce competitor on the field and a mischievous soul off it.
A number of famous sportsmen, Hollywood actors, and singers, including Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, and Greg Norman, also paid homage to Warne in video form.
Sir Elton John sang ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ via video link from the United States, while Coldplay leader Chris Martin sang ‘Yellow,’ Robbie Williams sang ‘Angels,’ and Ed Sheeran performed ‘Thinking Out Loud.’
Greta Bradman, the granddaughter of Sir Donald Bradman, who was selected one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Century with Warne in 2000, sang the Australian national anthem as the state service began, with chants reverberating throughout the MCG.
The new Shane Warne Stand – formerly the Great Southern Stand – was officially inaugurated following heartfelt comments from Warne’s three daughters, Summer, Jackson, and Brooke, and with the Frank Sinatra song ‘My Way’ playing in the background.
‘Darkest day in our family’s life’
Shane’s father, Keith Warne, was the first to speak, saying: “Friday, March 4, 2002, was the worst day in our family’s history. It was the day our kid was sadly and unexpectedly taken away from us.
“The family lost a cherished son, a dedicated father to Brooke, Jackson, and Summer, as well as a caring brother to Jason. And the world lost a much-loved cricket icon whose achievements on and off the field will be remembered for all time.
“Imagining a world without Shane is unthinkable, but we may take solace in knowing that Shane crammed more into his 52, five months, and 19 days than most people do in two lives.”
Keith continued, saying: “We are glad that the world loved our son as much as we did, and that he affected so many people’s lives in so many different ways.
“‘I smoked, I drank, and I played a little cricket,’ Shane remarked of himself.
“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. Love you, Mum and Dad.”
‘Genius’, ‘genuine’, ‘entertainer’, ‘King’
Mark Howard moderated a panel discussion featuring former cricketing greats Allan Border, Mark Taylor, and Merv Hughes from Australia, as well as England’s Nasser Hussain and West Indies’ Brian Lara.
Border used the term “genius” to characterise Warne, while other former Australia captain Taylor used the word “genuine.” Hughes’ use of the phrase “dead set bogan” elicited laughter from the gathering audience, while ex-England captain Hussain referred to Warne as a “entertainer” and Windies batting great Lara called to his old opponent as “The King.”
The five was then asked what they would say if Warne were here right now and they had the chance.
“Thank you for revitalising my leadership at the conclusion of my service,” an emotional Border remarked. I had the good fortune to spend two years with Shane, and I’d want to thank him for that.”
“Thanks for being a fantastic mate,” Hughes added. One of the most devoted individuals; many who do not know him believe he is the way he is due of his performance in Test cricket, but this is not the case. He did what he did because of his personality.
“He was a fantastic guy, and I feel terrible for the folks who never got to meet him.”
Hussain: He just seemed to wait for me to come out
“I had no delight in playing against Shane. He was a king bowler, but also a great sledger,” Hussain said. “And he just seemed to wait for me to come out.
“We were just thrilled to be in a final – usually we were in the hotel, to be honest – and he had been sledging me all day.
“He brought himself on to bow. AB [Allan Border] had told him before, ‘if you’re struggling, pick a fight with someone’. He picks a fight with me, I sledged him back for some reason – I’ve said something like ‘enjoy your last game as captain’.
“At the time it seemed like a really good thing to do because we needed 40 off 10 overs with seven wickets in hand.
“I ran down the pitch to the very next delivery – stumped [Adam] Gilchrist, bowled Warne – and my shot doesn’t get any better 20 years later. I am in a different post code to the ball.
“We lost seven for 30, lost by 10 runs and Bumble didn’t speak to me for a month.”
Tendulkar: You will continue to live in my heart
Several more former teammates, competitors, and friends of Warne’s offered video tributes at the ceremony, including India batting great Sachin Tendulkar, former Sky Sports colleague Sir Ian Botham, and Australians Glenn McGrath and Michael Clarke.
Tendulkar: “Warney I remember was always extremely competitive and did everything possible to disturb the opposition, to dismiss them. But when someone batted well, he was the first one to walk up to you and congratulate you.
“That is how our friendship and respect for each other grew. Warney, my friend, I will miss you big time and and you’ll continue to live in my heart.”
Botham: “There is only ever going to be one Shane Warne. You were magnificent on and off the field – a magnificent advert for the wonderful game of cricket.
“You will never be replaced mate. Rest in peace.”
McGrath: “The thing I loved most about Shane is the effect he had on people. I remember talking to a group of people and they’d all have a different perception of him, Shane would walk across, have a chat and within 30 seconds, every single one of them loved him.
“There was a certain charisma he had, certain aura about him that just made people attracted to him. It never ceased to amaze me the positive effect he had on so many people.”
Clarke: “Thank you. That’s all I can say really. Thank you for everything, the way you looked after me and treated me when I first came into that Australian team. I was such a baby and 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, you taught me about life, the highs and lows and how sport is so similar to life.
“I was asked the other day, ‘how do you say goodbye?’ And I don’t think I ever can, but I can say I’ll see you later.”
Sir Elton: His legacy lives on
Before their performances, Sir Elton, Williams and Sheeran gave touching tributes to their former friend Warne, while Coldplay’s Martin also performed a specially-composed piece on the piano, entitled ‘Eulogy’ to accompany a video montage focused on Warne’s charity work
Sir Elton: “This is a sad day today, but it is not in some other ways because his legacy lives on and he will live on through future generations because he was mesmerising, brilliant and he loved to play cricket and loved life.
“I want to dedicate this to Brooke, Summer and Jackson, and to all the people that came out today. God bless you Shane and god bless your family.”
