Fitting goodbye to one of the best

Watched by an appreciative crowd in what is now the Shane Warne Stand, and by millions of cricket fans around the nation and the world, Wednesday night’s memorial service for one of the game’s greatest players was a wonderful farewell.

Shane Warne’s beloved MCG was the ideal venue. A long time ago, like many Melbourne boys, he wanted to play Aussie rules there. He scored his hat trick at the ground in December 1994 in that summer’s Ashes series. And in November 2103 he took his 700th Test wicket there, also against England, the rivals he loved to beat.

Since Warne’s death of a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand on March 4, many have learned more about him. Re-runs of his most exciting moments on the field and old interviews have flowed. So have tributes from his friends and family, who were the centre of the loveable larrikin’s life. Warne’s generosity, especially to seriously ill and underprivileged children, was outstanding. As singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran said: “Shane was the kindest heart, and always went above and beyond to make people feel welcome and special.” Australians will always remember him.