The
family of Australia cricket great Shane Warne has been offered a state
funeral after the cricketer died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand on
Friday (in the wee hours of Saturday AEDT) at the age of 52.

Also Read: Shane Warne death leaves Sachin Tendulkar ‘shocked, stunned & miserable’

“Victoria
has lost an icon. Australia has lost a legend. And the entire cricket world is
mourning the loss of the King,” Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said in
a statement.

Born
in 1969, Warne began his cricketing career in Victoria before becoming one of
the game’s greatest and a household name in cricket playing nations.

Also Read: Shane Warne dies at 52, tributes pour in

Andrews
confirmed he had offered a state funeral to Warne’s family “so Victorians
can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state, community and country”.

Scott Morrison expresses grief

Australia
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the state funeral for “one of our
greatest cricketers of all time” would be organised by the federal and
Victorian governments, Cricket Australia and Warne’s family.

Also Read: Shane Warne vs Sachin Tendulkar: Cricketing rivalry at its finest

In
a statement issued by Prime Minister’s office, Morrison said Warne brought
“something magical” to Australia’s summers, and he was bewildered by
the sad and sudden loss.

“His
achievements were the product of his talent, his discipline and passion for the
game he loved,” Morrison said.

Also Read: Shane Warne: The man who breathed life into dying art of leg-spin

“But
Shane was more than this to Australians. Shane was one of our nation’s greatest
characters. His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability
ensured he was loved by all. Australians loved him. We all did,” he added.

Tributes pour in at the MCG

As
Australia woke up to a melancholic morning on Saturday, Mourners began walking towards the
MCG to pay their homage to the greatest leg-spinner of all
time.

Also Read: Australia legend Shane Warne’s life in pictures

Andrews
said the spin king defined a cricketing generation and “gave us
irreplaceable MCG memories”.

“The
Ashes hat trick, his 700th wicket and calming Bay 13 in his trackies. His
performance on the pitch drew us to the game that he cared so deeply for,”
he said.

Also Read: Shane Warne controversies: From drugs to affairs

“Nobody
who saw Shane Warne play will ever forget him. 
To us, he was the greatest — but to his family, he was so much more. Our
hearts are breaking for Shane’s family and friends — and they are in the
thoughts of all Victorians,” Andrews said.

The
St Kilda Cricket Club, where Warne played in the late 80s, also paid tribute to
the legend before the toss at Saturday’s match.

Also Read: When Shane Warne was banned for a year

Thailand to repatriate Warne’s
body

Australian
officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) will arrive
in Koh Samui, Thailand on Saturday to help return Warne’s body to Australia.

In
a statement, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said officials were set to arrive on
the island and had already spoken to those who were travelling with Warne.

Also Read: What made Shane Warne the spin king

She
said DFAT was working with Thai authorities to assist with repatriation and
provide other assistance on the ground.