<p>Shane Warne was remembered as a "genius" 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.</p>.<p>The well-loved Australian cricketer died at a luxury resort in Thailand this month from a suspected heart attack aged 52, eliciting shock and grief from his millions of fans as well as prime ministers, rock stars and fellow players.</p>.<p>The larger-than-life "king of spin" was being honoured 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.</p>.<p>"Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable," his father Keith said after batting great Donald Bradman's granddaughter Greta sang the national anthem to kick off proceedings.</p>.<p>"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."</p>.<p>A stand at the MCG was to be officially re-named after Warne, who in the eyes of many is second only to Bradman in Australia's long list of sporting greats.</p>.<p>Some fans attending wore their cricket kit, while others donned Warne T-shirts.</p>.<p>Emotions ran high as they snapped pictures in front of his statue outside the MCG.</p>.<p>One woman showed off her new thigh tattoo of Warne, which she had done last week.</p>.<p>Mark Taylor, who captained Warne for Australia, said the huge interest showed "how admired Shane Warne was".</p>.<p>"The fact he had that rough diamond character about him made him what people like to see. People like to see something a bit different, and they got that with Warnie," Taylor told reporters.</p>.<p>Fellow Australian captain Allan Border called him "a genius".</p>.<p>"I don't know how the Oxford dictionary defined genius, but he's as close as I've been to genius, the way he developed his game and just transcended everything," he said.</p>.<p>"He's left us with a flood of memories and such great times."</p>.<p>Music stars Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran were set to sing "dedicated songs" to Warne.</p>.<p>Also set to appear by video link were Hollywood stars Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman.</p>.<p>Cricketing greats such as Brian Lara, Nasser Hussain and Wasim Akram were among an array of sports stars at the service.</p>.<p>Warne's former partner, the British actress Liz Hurley, was not expected to attend but will reportedly feature in the service.</p>.<p>Credited with reviving the art of leg-spin, Warne took 708 Test wickets as part of a dominant Australian team in the 1990s and 2000s before becoming a respected commentator.</p>.<p>Before the state service in his memory, Warne's family, friends and teammates mourned him at a private funeral on March 20.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Shane Warne was remembered as a "genius" 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.</p>.<p>The well-loved Australian cricketer died at a luxury resort in Thailand this month from a suspected heart attack aged 52, eliciting shock and grief from his millions of fans as well as prime ministers, rock stars and fellow players.</p>.<p>The larger-than-life "king of spin" was being honoured 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.</p>.<p>"Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable," his father Keith said after batting great Donald Bradman's granddaughter Greta sang the national anthem to kick off proceedings.</p>.<p>"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."</p>.<p>A stand at the MCG was to be officially re-named after Warne, who in the eyes of many is second only to Bradman in Australia's long list of sporting greats.</p>.<p>Some fans attending wore their cricket kit, while others donned Warne T-shirts.</p>.<p>Emotions ran high as they snapped pictures in front of his statue outside the MCG.</p>.<p>One woman showed off her new thigh tattoo of Warne, which she had done last week.</p>.<p>Mark Taylor, who captained Warne for Australia, said the huge interest showed "how admired Shane Warne was".</p>.<p>"The fact he had that rough diamond character about him made him what people like to see. People like to see something a bit different, and they got that with Warnie," Taylor told reporters.</p>.<p>Fellow Australian captain Allan Border called him "a genius".</p>.<p>"I don't know how the Oxford dictionary defined genius, but he's as close as I've been to genius, the way he developed his game and just transcended everything," he said.</p>.<p>"He's left us with a flood of memories and such great times."</p>.<p>Music stars Elton John, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran were set to sing "dedicated songs" to Warne.</p>.<p>Also set to appear by video link were Hollywood stars Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman.</p>.<p>Cricketing greats such as Brian Lara, Nasser Hussain and Wasim Akram were among an array of sports stars at the service.</p>.<p>Warne's former partner, the British actress Liz Hurley, was not expected to attend but will reportedly feature in the service.</p>.<p>Credited with reviving the art of leg-spin, Warne took 708 Test wickets as part of a dominant Australian team in the 1990s and 2000s before becoming a respected commentator.</p>.<p>Before the state service in his memory, Warne's family, friends and teammates mourned him at a private funeral on March 20.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>