BIPIN DANI
Shane Warne's funeral will take place in Melbourne, Australia, according to his manager James Ereskine.
The 52-year-old legendary spinner passed (suspected due to the heart-attack) away in Thailand.
Speaking from Sydney, the manager informs : "Warne along with his four friends went to Thailand (from Melbourne) on Wednesday. He was not on any cricketing assignments but on a holiday. One among the four is there is our office staff".
"The dead-body will be brought to Australia for his final rites. It may take a few more days as the High Commissioner's office is also involved in the process".
With Warne's exit, Muthiah Muralitharan has lost his cricket-partner.
"It (the age of 52) is not the age for any cricketer to leave", Muthiah Muralitharan, speaking exclusively to this reporter, said over the telephone.
"It is very shocking news and very hard to digest. We can't believe it. He was a legendary cricketer. We both played in the same era. The world of cricket fraternity will miss him. It is a big loss to the game. All his fans will miss him", Murali added.
Warne was the second highest Test wicket taker (708) after Murali's 800.
The series between Sri Lanka and Australia is played for the Warne-Muralitharan trophy.
"It is a very black day in international cricket when two great players-Rod Marsh and Warne passed away on the same day.
It will not be surprising if the players of both teams or at least the Sri Lanka's wear a black armband on the second day of the ongoing Mohali Test on Saturday.
