The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host a farewell service for the late great Shane Warne on March 30, as confirmed by Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

Shane Warne often considered the greatest spinner of all time, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 52 while vacationing in Thailand on March 4. Autopsy results confirmed the death was due to natural causes with no signs of foul play.

The family has announced it will hold a private funeral before the MCG service.

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" There's nowhere in the world more appropriate to farewell Warnie than the 'G. Victorians will be able to pay tribute to Shane and his contribution our state, and his sport, at a memorial service at the MCG on the evening of March 30th.," Andrews tweeted on Wednesday.

The MCG was the stage of Warne's famous Ashes hat trick in 1994 and his 700th test wicket on Boxing Day in 2006 during his final series before retiring from international cricket. He was born and raised in Melbourne.

After his demise on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday, Warne's body was taken by ferry to the mainland city of Surat Thani on Sunday. It was transported to Thailand's capital, Bangkok, on Monday night and was being prepared to fly home to Melbourne.

(PTI inputs)