Warne to receive state funeral; MCG to rename stand

Fans pay floral tributes at the base of Shane Warne’s statue outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday announced that late spin legend Shane Warne will receive a state funeral, while the cricket board decided to rename a stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in his honour.

Morrison said Australians were "bewildered" by a "sad and sudden" loss of Warne and the state funeral would be organised by federal and Victorian governments, Cricket Australia and the family of "one of our greatest cricketers of all time." In recognition of Warne's "national achievements his family will be offered a state funeral," Morrison said in a statement.

The Great Southern Stand at the MCG will also be renamed in honour of Warne with Victoria's minister for tourism and sport, Martin Pakula, making the announcement on Saturday morning after consulting with Victoria premier Daniel Andrews, MCC Trust chairman Steve Bracks and MCC CEO Stuart Fox.

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