The life of legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne will be commemorated at a state memorial service in Melbourne on Wednesday.
More than 50,000 people are expected to pack into Warne’s home stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), weeks after he died of a suspected heart attack in a Thailand villa.
Thousands of those in attendance will be seated in the famous southern grandstand, to be renamed after Warne following his death.
It is also thought that an array of athletes, politicians and celebrities will join those at the MCG.
Shane Warne took 708 Test wickets during his stellar career
CHRIS YOUNG
50,000 will be in attendance at the service in Melbourne
SANDRA SANDERS
Tickets were balloted, and those in Australia who were unable to get a ticket, are able to watch the service on TV.
Warne's statue situated at the MCG remains surrounded by flowers and messages left by his adoring fans.
The news of the leg-spinner’s passing on March 4 sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, with hundreds flooding to social media to pay their respects.
Warne will be widely remembered as one of the best bowlers in cricket history, having picked up 708 Test wickets during his stellar career - the second most in Test history.
A private funeral was held more than a week ago, in order for around 80 guests, including close friends and family to say goodbye to “Warney”.
The names to attend his funeral included retired Test captains Mark Taylor, Allan Border and Michael Vaughan.
The memorial service is due to get under way at 7pm local time (9am BST).
