Scott Morrison, Australian PM Announced Shane Warne Will Receive A State Funeral

Scott Morrison, Australian Prime Minister has announced that Shane Warne will receive a state funeral. Shane Warne passed away from a suspected heart attack in Thailand aged 52. He is the second-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket and regarded as one of the finest to have ever played the game.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday said Australians were “bewildered” by a “sad and sudden loss” of Shane Warne, and announced the cricketing hero would receive a state funeral.

Scott Morrison Announced Shane Warne Will Receive A State Funeral

Shane Warne represented Australia in international cricket for 15 years as he retired in 2007.  In his 145 Test match career, he picked 708 wickets with an average of 25.41 which included 37 fifers. Similarly in his 194 ODI career, he picked 293 wickets with an economy of 4.25.

“He was one of our nation’s greatest characters,” Scott Morrison said, marking the 52-year-old’s untimely death.

Praising him as inspiration to backyard cricketers across the country, Scott Morrison described a larger-than-life character who lit up each Australian summer.

“His humour, his passion, his irreverence, his approachability ensured he was loved by all.” In recognition of Warne’s “national achievements his family will be offered a state funeral,” Morrison said in a statement.

“This will be done in consultation with the Warne family,” he said, promising to “ensure we honour Shane’s passing and memory.”

Scott Morrison: Shane Warne Lived His Life His Way

“There was none like Shane,” Morrison said.” He lived his life his way. He had his great achievements, but also his regrets. He carried them all the same way. With a cheeky smile & a zest for life.”

“There was something magical that he brought to our summers. The bleached blonde hair, the almost casual way he moved to send down a delivery, and his engagement with the crowd. He was one of a kind. He inspired so many girls and boys to try their hand at cricket. He made it all look so easy. At some point, in most Australian backyards, we all tried to deliver a flipper. Our love and condolences go to Shane’s family and particularly his children Brooke, Jackson, and Summer.”

With so many international wickets, it is no surprise that Shane Warne also holds the Australian record for most fifers and ten-for in the sport. Having 37 fifers in Test and one in ODIs, he has 38 to his name, also the second-most in the world. As for ten-for, he has ten of them, again being the second-most globally.