[imagesource: Mark Nolan / Getty Images]

At around 10AM South African time, or 7PM in Melbourne, it’s estimated that between 50 000 and 65 000 people will gather inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate the life and times of Shane Warne.

The local lad turned cricketing great passed away earlier this month in Thailand at the age of 52. A private ceremony was held for the family on March 20, but now the world at large gets the chance to say goodbye to one of the sport’s greatest characters and performers.

Warne took a famous Boxing Day hat-trick in 1994, as well as his 700th test match wicket, at the MCG.

Sky News reports that there will be tributes flooding in from across the globe:

Musicians Elton John, Ed Sheeran, and Chris Martin will send video contributions and other guests at the star-studded affair will include Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Kylie Minogue…

The ground’s Great Southern Stand will also be renamed in Warne’s honour.

“There is no better place in the world” to hold Warne’s memorial and to “say goodbye” said his son, Jackson Warne.

The first 50 000 seats sold out rapidly and another 15 000 tickets have since been released.

According to 7News, Eric Bana, Greg Norman, and Kelly Slater will also pay tribute to Warnie.

Cricketers in attendance will include Allan Border, Mark Taylor, Glenn McGrath, Merv Hughes, Michael Clarke, Wasim Akram, Brian Lara, Nasser Hussain, Stephen Fleming, and Ian Botham.

Sachin Tendulkar is to appear via video. No Daryll Cullinan, it should be noted.

Below are two live streams, slated to start at 10AM our time.

[sources:sky&7news]