Public’s ballot to farewell legend
VICTORIANS will get a chance to farewell Shane Warne, with up to 50,000 free tickets to be given away to his state memorial at the MCG.
Plans for the celebration of the cricket great’s life were discussed at a high-powered meeting on Friday.
A public ballot will offer free tickets to the memorial, which will start at 7pm on Wednesday, March 30, to allow families to attend.
Most fans are expected to be seated in the Great Southern Stand, to be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand.
Mourners have been asked to make a donation to The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health instead of sending flowers.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, a longtime friend of Warne, has indicated he wants to be involved in the MCG event.
Discussions surround whether he would be part of a live video link or send a message, as Coldplay will be touring in Mexico.
Warne’s parents Keith and Brigitte have given their blessing for the memorial, while his ex-wife Simone Callahan, children Brooke, 24, Jackson, 23, and Summer, 20, and brother Jason are all expected to attend.
Warne’s family gathered in a hangar at Essendon Airport on Thursday night as the spin king’s body returned to Australia by private jet.
Jackson drove Brooke and Simone in his father’s Mercedes-Benz G wagon to the airport for the emotional homecoming.
Warne’s personal assistant Helen Nolan also made the sombre trip to the airport.
A private funeral service is expected to be held next week.
As arrangements for the state memorial continue, with Eddie McGuire as possible MC, Warne’s former fiancee, actor Liz Hurley, is said to have received an invitation and is looking to rearrange events that may enable her to attend.
However, Ed Sheeran, who played at promoter Michael Gudinski’s memorial, has a gig in London that clashes with Warne’s memorial.
Australian Test cricketers David Warner, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc are being rested from one-day matches against Pakistan, allowing them a chance to represent their teammates at the MCG.
The 7pm start also makes it more likely Prime Minister Scott Morrison can fly from Canberra to be at the ground after the federal budget the day before.
Premier Daniel Andrews authorised a statement announcing details of how to get tickets for the MCG memorial.
“Nobody who saw Shane Warne play will ever forget him. Affectionately known as ‘Warnie’ and ‘The King’, he had a talent like no other and the charisma to match,” it said.
“His humour, flair and larrikinism will be sorely missed.
“After his retirement as a player, Mr Warne continued to be a voice for cricket, sharing his deep knowledge as a commentator of the game.”
Geelong Cats legend Sam Newman said he hoped to see a packed crowd at the MCG “in front of the Shane Warne stand”.
“That would be a fitting tribute,” he said.