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Shane Warne: Body of the cricket legend arrives in Australia ahead of his state funeral

The 52-year-old international cricket star died suddenly of a suspected heart attack last Friday while on holiday in Thailand.

Thursday 10 March 2022 13:09, UK

A private jet carrying the coffin of the Australian cricketer arrived at Essendon Airport in Melbourne today. Pic: AP
Image: A private jet carrying the coffin of the Australian cricketer arrived at Essendon Airport in Melbourne today. Pic: AP
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The body of legendary cricketer Shane Warne has arrived in Australia from Thailand ahead of the star's state funeral later this month.

An Australian flag was draped over Warne's coffin before it was flown in a private jet back to his hometown of Melbourne around 10 hours later.

The 52-year-old died suddenly of a suspected heart attack the day after he arrived for a holiday on the Thai island of Koh Samui, last Friday.

Warne's body was transported by a van from the Thai Police Forensic Institute to an airport in Bankok. Pic: AP
Image: Warne's body was transported by a van from the Thai Police Forensic Institute to an airport in Bankok. Pic: AP

Thai police confirmed the Australian cricket star died from natural causes and had experienced chest pains before his death.

The star had a history of asthma and contracted coronavirus last year.

A state funeral will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a 100,000-seater stadium, on 30 March allowing fans to pay tribute.

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Watch Shane Warne's 'Ball of the Century'

The event at the MCG marks the ground where he secured his 700th Test wicket, shortly before his retirement from international cricket, and is expected to include tributes and highlights of Warne's career.

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Warne was born and raised in Melbourne and the venue is home to some of his greatest moments in cricket. The event will be held after the family holds a private funeral.

Cricket - Australia v England - 2013/14 Commonwealth Bank Ashes Test Series Fourth Test - Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia - 26/12/13 General view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason O'Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Image: Melbourne Cricket Ground is home to some of Shane Warne's greatest cricket moments. Pic: Action Images / Jason O'Brien

Since his death, tributes have poured in from fans, his family and members of the sports world.

Warne made his Test debut in 1992 against India and made history at the MCG against England in 1994 by becoming the first person in 91 years to take a hat-trick in an Ashes series Test match.

The star's former fiancée Liz Hurley posted a tribute on Instagram describing him as "my beloved lion heart" and added that she felt like "the sun has gone behind a cloud forever" following his death.

Warne's family issued a statement late Monday describing the night of his death as the beginning of "a never-ending nightmare".

He was rated as one of the five greatest players of the 20th century by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.

Warne had three children with his ex-wife Simone Callahan.

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