The area has become a shrine to the much-loved cricket great with piles of cards, flowers, tributes and gifts left at the foot of the statue since his passing on March 4.Brooke, Jackson and Summer were joined by their mother and Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan at the makeshift memorial site for fans and mourners who were shocked by Warne’s sudden death from a heart attack in Koh Samui.Jackson simply posted a love heart as the caption while Summer wrote: “Always here with us dad”.It comes after Summer posted two videos with her dad, one with her laughing and the words: “Miss you making me laugh so much already”.Brooke thanked people for their support.“We are so grateful for everyone’s support, the messages and love we have received is so special and touching, everyone’s support around our Dad’s statue is beyond heart warming thank you. We are so proud of our Dad.”The family has confirmed it has requested the Great Southern Stand be named the ‘Shane Warne Stand’ instead of the ‘S.K. Warne Stand’. Warne’s brother Jason this week paid tribute to his brother and friend, saying he’ll always be the cricket legend’s biggest fan.Along with some never before seen pictures, Jason posted some touching memories of their childhood. “There are probably a few things I should finally own up to, I will finally admit you could beat me, occasionally, in a sporting contest and you may even have beaten me once at Monopoly,’’ he wrote.“There is no way I would’ve ever admitted either of those before I got the worst news I have ever received on Friday!“I know I used to put you on tilt and yes, I did do it on purpose sometimes! Inside I was laughing so hard as I knew I had got you again.“I will also admit, all that crap you went on about being a big hitter and other sledges in golf did use (sic) to get me … again, this is the first time I have ever admitted it.”Jason also brought up their competitive nature as kids and how proud he would be of his children, Brooke, Jackson and Summer.“I will even admit you were a better kick at goal than me, you just couldn’t kick over a jam jar,’’ Jason wrote.“You always had a habit of trumping me too. I win a golf trip to Barnbougle and as you say congrats, have fun you let me know that a private jet is picking you up for a game at Augusta … and of course you had your first hole in one on the 16th with a back right pin used on the 3rd day of the Masters … and no pro ever has.“It’s hard to get my head around that we will not get a chance to play golf again, argue over the best pizza again, see your eyes light up when I raise you in poker, and yes many were just because it was you, and you call gleefully knowing you have the best hand, see how angry you get when I hit the only card that could save me.“I could go on.“I have and always will be your biggest fan, well aside from Dad. I have been so proud of everything you have achieved in your life. Your reality was the equivalent of most peoples (sic) wildest dreams. Am going to miss you Chief.“PS — you would be so proud of your kids, they have been amazing.”WARNE WAS PLANNING BASH AT GShane Warne had been in talks to bring an All-Stars cricket match to the MCG next year.The late Aussie leg spinner wanted to stage an event featuring past and current players plus some celebrities and musical acts.In 2015 Warne played in and hosted three All-Stars matches across the US in New York, Houston and Los Angeles.He staged those with businessman Raj Ramakrishnan, founder and CEO of Cricket Superstars, with whom he was liaising about the Melbourne match.Speaking from India, Ramakrishnan said: “We wanted to make it a grand event and more of a celebrity event that Shane would have loved.“Hollywood stars, a live band, 40 of the top cricketers and a lot of big names.“We’d been working on it for a long time and we were going to do one in Dubai in March 2020 but that all got pushed back because of Covid.”Ramakrishnan, business partner of Warne’s close friend Tony Hachem, said he planned to go through with the match as a tribute to Warne and to raise funds for charity. “I just saw him in Brisbane a month ago, we spent a week playing poker,’’ Ramakrishnan said.“I shall do something in memory of Shane and try and support all the charities he did.”Ramakrishnan will arrive in Australia next week to continue discussions and to attend the state memorial service at the MCG on March 30.The All-Stars series in 2015 pitted Warne’s Warriors against former India captain Sachin Tendulkar’s Blasters squad, with players coming out of retirement including Ricky Ponting, Wasim Akram, Curtly Ambrose and Brian Lara.The memorial service is expected to have up to 50,000 tickets available, subject to demand, with most expected to be seated in the Great Southern Stand, which will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand in his honour.Warne’s close friend Sam Newman has called for up 100,000 people to turn out for the farewell which would be a record for a cricket match or event. He also wants people to receive a certificate or a medallion as a keepsake from the service.Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has indicated he wants to be involved, with many people expected to fly in from overseas.The memorial will start at 7pm to allow families to attend.A public ballot will be thrown open to allow fans to get free tickets to the memorial, which will be an uplifting celebration of the cricketer’s life. He died aged 52 of a heart attack in Koh Samui on March 4.
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