Late great leg-spinner Shane Warne was given an emotional farewell at a state memorial service at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday attended by tens of thousands of spectators and legendary players, with music stars including Elton John performing by video link.

The legendary leg-spinner died of a heart attack at the age of 52 on March 4 in a Thailand resort, which left everybody including teammates, colleagues, and fans in shock.

The larger-than-life "king of spin" was honored in a two-hour service in front of about 50,000 fans that was beamed live to cricket grounds across Australia and watched around the world.   

Sachin Tendulkar recalls his last text exchange and meeting with late Shane Warne

"Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable. But we take comfort in knowing that Shane packed more into his life of 52 years, five months and 19 days than most people would in two lifetimes,” Shane’s father Keith said after legend Sir Don Bradman’s granddaughter Greta sang the national anthem to kick off proceedings.

Also, a stand at the MCG was officially renamed after Shane Warne with his children present during the unveiling.

Many cricketers paid their tributes in person and via video link, including one of his greatest rivals in India Sachin Tendulkar.

Credited with reviving the art of leg-spin, Warne took 708 Test wickets and 293 ODI wickets as part of a dominant Australian team in the 1990s and 2000s before becoming a respected commentator. Before the state service in his memory, Warne's family, friends and teammates mourned him at a private funeral on March 20.

(AFP inputs)