Mourners are expected to pack the Melbourne Cricket Ground this evening to pay respect to the late Australian cricketer Shane Warne.
His state memorial service will be live televised from his home ground in Victoria.
Warne died in early March in Thailand from a heart attack, aged only 52.
Known as the 'King of Spin', he was considered one of the best bowlers in the history of cricket. Though it was the football field that first drew him.
He briefly played for the St Kilda Saints' under 19s team while also playing cricket during the AFL off-season.
In 1992, he was called upon to make his test debut, after only playing seven first-class matches .
In his first Ashes delivery, he bowled out Mike Gatting at Old Tafford in 1993. It became known as the 'ball of the century'.
During his 15-year-long professional career, Warne played 145 test matches and 194 one-day internationals.
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At the Boxing Day Test in 2006, Warne took his 700th test wicket at his home ground, the MCG, becoming the first cricketer to reach the milestone.
He would take another eight test wickets before retiring in 2007.
Warne was known to have a larger-than-life personality on and off the field. He cultivated an image as a lovable larkin who had his fair share of controversies as well.
In 1998, during an Australian tour of India, Warne and his fellow Australian cricket players faxed home to Australia, asking for baked beans and spaghetti.
They were mailed boxes of each, all addressed to Shane Warne.
In 2003 he failed a drug test shortly before the World Cup and admitted he had taken a banned diet pill, saying his mother had given it to him.
He received a 12 month suspension from playing, during which he became a commentator for the Nine Network.
He continued to commentate after his retirement, working for both Sky Sport and Fox Sport until his death on March 4, 2022.
Soofia Tariq
Soofia joined the Canberra Times in 2022 as the cadet. She is now a general news reporter, covering everything from local stories to ACT and federal politics. She previously interned and was an audio producer at The Guardian Australia. She has also worked at 2SER Radio and City Hub Sydney. Her email is soofia.tariq@canberratimes.com.au
Soofia joined the Canberra Times in 2022 as the cadet. She is now a general news reporter, covering everything from local stories to ACT and federal politics. She previously interned and was an audio producer at The Guardian Australia. She has also worked at 2SER Radio and City Hub Sydney. Her email is soofia.tariq@canberratimes.com.au
