Family confirms name change for S.K Warne tribute stand at MCG

The details of Shane Warne’s family funeral have been settled, with his parents, and children to be joined by close friends to say their last goodbyes.

Shane Warne’s parents, children and his closest friends will farewell the cricket legend at a private funeral on Sunday.

Invitations have been sent out to cricket friends and former teammates, poker playing buddies, media colleagues and mates from his beloved St Kilda football club by the spin king’s parents Keith and Brigitte, and children, Brooke, Jackson and Summer.

The funeral will be followed by a state memorial at the MCG on March 30. Initially, 50,000 tickets will released to the public, with more seats potentially being made available depending on how quickly they go.

An all-star production team including Mushroom Records’ events arm and Eddie McGuire’s television production company have been working on the event.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin, on tour in Mexico, and Ed Sheeran, who is doing shows in London, are both expected to send video messages to be beamed onto big screens in the stadium. Other music acts have been contacted about performing.

Warne’s friends from India are expected to attend, while former fiancee Liz Hurley is understood to be rescheduling events in the hope of coming, though nothing had been confirmed on Wednesday night. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed he will also attend.

Jackson Warne beside his father’s statue at the MCG.

Warne’s children have visited the statue of their late father outside the MCG.

The area has become a shrine to the much-loved cricket great with piles of cards, flowers, tributes and gifts left at the foot of the statue since his passing on March 4.

Brooke, Jackson and Summer were joined by their mother and Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan at the makeshift memorial site for fans and mourners who were shocked by Warne’s sudden death from a heart attack in Koh Samui.

Jackson simply posted a love heart as the caption while Summer wrote: “Always here with us dad”.

It comes after Summer posted two videos with her dad, one with her laughing and the words: “Miss you making me laugh so much already”.

Brooke thanked people for their support.

“We are so grateful for everyone’s support, the messages and love we have received is so special and touching, everyone’s support around our Dad’s statue is beyond heart warming thank you. We are so proud of our Dad.”

Brooke, Jackson, Simone Callahan and Summer at the Shane Warne statue.

The family has confirmed it has requested the Great Southern Stand be named the “Shane Warne Stand” instead of the “S.K. Warne Stand”.

Warne’s brother Jason this week paid tribute to his brother and friend, saying he would always be the cricket legend’s biggest fan.

Along with some never before seen pictures, Jason posted some touching memories of their childhood.

Jason (right) shared some rare pictures as a tribute to his brother.

A young Warne with his brother, Jason.

“There are probably a few things I should finally own up to, I will finally admit you could beat me, occasionally, in a sporting contest and you may even have beaten me once at Monopoly,’’ he wrote.

“There is no way I would’ve ever admitted either of those before I got the worst news I have ever received on Friday!

“I know I used to put you on tilt and yes, I did do it on purpose sometimes! Inside I was laughing so hard as I knew I had got you again.

“I will also admit, all that crap you went on about being a big hitter and other sledges in golf did use (sic) to get me … again, this is the first time I have ever admitted it.”

Jason also brought up their competitive nature as kids and how proud he would be of his children, Brooke, Jackson and Summer.

Jason share some touching memories of his childhood with Shane.

A young Shane with his parents Brigitte and Keith.

Jason referenced the pair’s competitive nature as kids.

“I will even admit you were a better kick at goal than me, you just couldn’t kick over a jam jar,’’ Jason wrote.

“You always had a habit of trumping me too. I win a golf trip to Barnbougle and as you say congrats, have fun you let me know that a private jet is picking you up for a game at Augusta … and of course you had your first hole in one on the 16th with a back right pin used on the 3rd day of the Masters … and no pro ever has.

Jason, Shane and Keith. Picture: Supplied

Jason said he’s still trying to come to terms with his brother’s sudden death.

Molly Meldrum with Shane and Jason.

“It’s hard to get my head around that we will not get a chance to play golf again, argue over the best pizza again, see your eyes light up when I raise you in poker, and yes many were just because it was you, and you call gleefully knowing you have the best hand, see how angry you get when I hit the only card that could save me.

“I could go on.

“I have and always will be your biggest fan, well aside from Dad. I have been so proud of everything you have achieved in your life. Your reality was the equivalent of most peoples (sic) wildest dreams. Am going to miss you Chief.

“PS — you would be so proud of your kids, they have been amazing.”

WARNE WAS PLANNING BASH AT G

Shane Warne had been in talks to bring an All-Stars cricket match to the MCG next year.

The late Aussie leg spinner wanted to stage an event featuring past and current players plus some celebrities and musical acts.

In 2015 Warne played in and hosted three All-Stars matches across the US in New York, Houston and Los Angeles.

He staged those with businessman Raj Ramakrishnan, founder and CEO of Cricket Superstars, with whom he was liaising about the Melbourne match.

Speaking from India, Ramakrishnan said: “We wanted to make it a grand event and more of a celebrity event that Shane would have loved.

Shane Warne and Raj Ramakrishnan with the All-Stars for the US cricket match.

“Hollywood stars, a live band, 40 of the top cricketers and a lot of big names.

“We’d been working on it for a long time and we were going to do one in Dubai in March 2020 but that all got pushed back because of Covid.”

Ramakrishnan, business partner of Warne’s close friend Tony Hachem, said he planned to go through with the match as a tribute to Warne and to raise funds for charity.

“I just saw him in Brisbane a month ago, we spent a week playing poker,’’ Ramakrishnan said.

“I shall do something in memory of Shane and try and support all the charities he did.”

Ramakrishnan will arrive in Australia next week to continue discussions and to attend the state memorial service at the MCG on March 30.

The All-Stars series in 2015 pitted Warne’s Warriors against former India captain Sachin Tendulkar’s Blasters squad, with players coming out of retirement including Ricky Ponting, Wasim Akram, Curtly Ambrose and Brian Lara.

Raj Ramakrishnan and Shane Warne.

The memorial service is expected to have up to 50,000 tickets available, subject to demand, with most expected to be seated in the Great Southern Stand, which will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand in his honour.

Warne’s close friend Sam Newman has called for up 100,000 people to turn out for the farewell which would be a record for a cricket match or event.

He also wants people to receive a certificate or a medallion as a keepsake from the service.

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has indicated he wants to be involved, with many people expected to fly in from overseas.

The memorial will start at 7pm to allow families to attend.

A public ballot will be thrown open to allow fans to get free tickets to the memorial, which will be an uplifting celebration of the cricketer’s life. He died aged 52 of a heart attack in Koh Samui on March 4.