Howzat! Tickets now up for grabs for Warnie's state funeral
Over 50,000 people will be able to join Shane Warne’s family in farewelling the iconic cricketer at his state funeral - but those who miss out on the coveted tickets can still pay their respects.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews revealed that tickets for the service - due to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 30 - will be free, with online booking starting at 3pm on Tuesday.
The Premier took to Twitter to share new details about the service on Tuesday morning.
“We’ve got some details locked in for Warnie’s memorial at the MCG,” Mr Andrews wrote.
“And don’t worry - if you can’t make it, the memorial will be livestreamed.”
It is expected that at least 50,000 fans will be joining Warne’s family and friends, as well as dignitaries and invited guests at the MCG.
These guests will include former and current cricketers, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed he will be attending.
Others including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and UK pop star Ed Sheeran have also expressed their interest in being involved in the event, as reported by the Daily Mail, while Warne’s ex-fiancee Elizabeth Hurley is understood to be trying to make the service.
Most of the tickets will be available for the Great Southern Stand, which will be renamed the Shane Warne Stand in tribute.
The service is due to commence from 7pm, with attendees - who must be fully vaccinated - required to be seated by 6.45pm.
Depending on demand, more tickets may become available.
Members of the public can submit online tributes to the cricket icon until April 10, and the family has requested that donations be made to the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in lieu of flowers.
Cricket grounds across Australia are also understood to be live streaming events paying tribute to Warne following his death on March 4.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the final details for the event at the Sydney Cricket Ground are still being finalised, but that it would be run alongside the Melbourne event and would be unticketed with free entry.
“We are working through that at the moment with (Venues NSW chairman) Tony Shepherd and the team at Cricket Australia,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We want to run those events alongside each other. Obviously, we will live stream the memorial service in the MCG - that’s incredibly important.
“I think it’s important that we provide the opportunity for people to come to the cricket ground and pay their respects to Shane and to his family and friends.”
The SCG service will include live tributes to Warne - who holds the record for the most test wickets at the grounds - and footage of his achievements.
Venue NSW chairman Tony Shepherd said Mr Perrottet, Sports Minister Stuart Ayres, and former Prime Minister John Howard were also invited to the SCG memorial.
A spokesperson from Cricket Australia told the Daily Telegraph other cricket grounds were considering hosting services, including Adelaide Oval.
“The SCG has expressed its intention to live stream Shane Warne’s memorial service and is of course welcome to do so,” they said.
“Other grounds around Australia including Adelaide Oval are understood to be considering doing the same thing.”
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