Shane Warne funeral: Michael Vaughan and Merv Hughes join family and friends at private service for cricket legend

Warne's family walked behind the hearse on a lap of the St Kilda Football Club ground in Melbourne

Shane Warne funeral: Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh join family at private service for cricket legend
The coffin of Shane Warne is carried to a hearse by his son Jackson and other attendees Credit: REUTERS

Shane Warne's family and friends were joined by dozens of celebrities at his private funeral, including former England captain Michael Vaughan.

The service in Warne's hometown of Melbourne was attended by around 80 guests, including his three children, parents, friends and retired Test captains Mark Taylor, Allan Border and Vaughan.

Shane Warne funeral: Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh join family at private service for cricket legend
Ric Lewis (L) and former England cricketer Michael Vaughan (R) arrive for the private memorial service Credit: AFP

The former leg-spinner, considered one of the greatest cricketers of all-time, died of a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand, on March 4, aged 52.

Television presenter Eddie McGuire, who anchors Australian Football League show Fox Footy, hosted the service, which was also attended by former AFL greats.

Shane Warne funeral: Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh join family at private service for cricket legend
Former Australian cricketer Merv Hughes Credit: AFP
Shane Warne funeral: Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh join family at private service for cricket legend
Family and friends of Shane Warne follow the hearse on a lap of the grounds Credit: GETTY IMAGES
Shane Warne funeral: Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh join family at private service for cricket legend
Simone Callahan and other guests raise a glass to Shane Warne Credit: GETTY IMAGES

McGuire described Warne as "Superman" and said: "You threw the ball to Warne, you sat in that (Melbourne Cricket Ground) Southern Stand and he did the things you dreamt of doing as a kid. The magic part about Shane Warne was that he sprinkled his gold dust everywhere he went."

Warne's former girlfriend, actress Liz Hurley, was unable to attend the funeral due to work commitments.

Hurley, 56, said on Instagram: "My heart aches that I can't be in Australia for Shane's funeral. I was filming and, with the time jump, physically can't get there. It still hasn't really sunk in that he's gone."

A state memorial will be held at the MCG on March 30 and will be open to the public, with more than 50,000 fans expected to attend via a ballot.

It has been reported that Sir Elton John will perform live via video link for the state funeral and that other video tributes will include performances from Ed Sheeran and Coldplay's Chris Martin.

Warne shot to global fame with the 'ball of the century' to bamboozle and dismiss Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes series against England.

He went on to claim 708 Test wickets, the second-highest in history, in a 15-year career spanning 145 matches and also took 293 one-day international wickets, helping Australia win the 1999 World Cup.

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