The great Shane Warne's death left the cricket fraternity stunned and Australia's star batter David Warner has now said the death of their compatriot and cricket legend Shane Warne "really hasn't sunk in with us" while speaking in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday. Warner and rest of the Australian team arrived in Karachi on Wednesday to prepare for the second Test match against the hosts.
"I still think it's (the funeral) definitely going to be extremely emotional for everyone. As I said, it really hasn't sunk in with us," Warner said.
"And obviously, there'll be a big, big, huge contingent of Victorians obviously being hosted at the MCG. There'll be lots and lots of people coming out to pay their respects.
"You've seen all the flowers and even cigarretes and beers placed on the (Shane) Warnie statue at the MCG. It just shows you how many people he's touched and how many people are feeling it right now around the world," he added.
Warner said he will certainly try to be present at the funeral service for Warne that is scheduled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 30th of March.
"And yeah, definitely. I'll be trying to get down there for that," Warner said.
“From my point of view, as a kid, I had his poster up on the wall. I wanted to be like Shane. I started my career early on bowling leg-spin and batting in the middle order. We idolised him.
“You just look at the tributes from around the world. He has touched millions and millions of people and from different countries. Celebrities, you name it. He’s such a loyal guy. He’s always stuck by me," he further added.
“Every time I have engaged with him in any way, he’s always asked to come for a beer, come to dinner, helped give advice. He always just wanted to help and that was Shane. He will be dearly missed. We’re going to miss rocking up to the ground and hearing his stories. He’s just such a likeable guy. Australia is worse off with him leaving.”
The timing of Warne’s state memorial at the MCG works well for Warner, who will be back from Pakistan by then, but not for everyone in the Australian team who might want to attend the event.
