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Shane Warne's family shares emotive tributes at state memorial honouring the late cricket great

Shane Warne's children share emotional memories of their beloved father.

The last time Summer Warne saw her dad Shane, Bryan Adams' Summer of '69 was blaring out of his car.

"You were coming to pick up your bag you needed for Thailand," she said.

"[You] had your car door wide open blaring that song.

The 20-year-old recounted the story at the state memorial service for her cricketing legend father on Wednesday night.

Summer Warne (right) spoke alongside her brother, Jackson, and sister, Brooke. (Gettty Images: Robert Cianflone)

On March 4, Shane Warne died suddenly, at the age of 52, while on holiday in Thailand.

His family farewelled him at a private funeral earlier this month ahead of Wednesday's televised service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which fans were invited to attend.

In between tributes from sporting greats and celebrities, the most touching moments of the service came from Warne's family members.

Summer spoke alongside sister, Brooke, and brother, Jackson, as well as Warne's brother, Jason, and father, Keith.

Through tears, Summer recounted joining her father that day before his holiday, dancing to Byran Adams "with not a care in the world".

"You will always be with us, Dad, just not in the way we had hoped," she said.

Shane Warne died suddenly aged 52. (AAP: Julian Smith)

Summer said her father had helped her, "when I was struggling, and I didn't know how to go on with life because I was dealing with my own demons".

"You showed me how I could fall in love with life again.

"You saved me, Dad. You truly did."

'I am so proud that you were my dad'

Jackson Warne said his father was "the best dad anyone could have asked for".

"You were my best friend. Time with you went way too fast.

"You never pressured me into playing cricket and all you ever wanted for me was to be happy.

"You would play Super Smash Bros with me, even though it was impossible for you to win.

"We would play Monopoly and you would do deals with me just to give me a chance to win. We were both so happy."

Shane Warne's children all remembered their father's infectious spirit and unconditional love. (Instagram: Shane Warne)

He told mourners his father was "taken way too soon".

"I am so proud that you were my dad," he said.

Brooke Warne told the crowd her dad wanted "the absolute best for everyone, especially us — his kids," she said.

"Dad and I got on each other's nerves, but it was because we were so similar," she said, adding she shared her father's stubbornness.

"But, at the end of the day, we just wanted to love each other and we did, so much."

Shane Warne was devoted to his children. (AAP: David Crosling)

Brooke said her father wanted to be the best dad he could, and she promised him his children would "do you so proud".

"We're going to do what you always told us: try our best.

"We will try our best to live in a world without you."

A childhood brush with death

Warne's younger brother, Jason, told the story of the moment the world almost lost Warnie before he could fulfil his cricketing potential.

"We wouldn't actually be here, though, if it wasn't for a man called David Beck," Jason told the crowd.

Shane Warne knocked himself unconscious after jumping off a Melbourne pier as a teen, his brother said. (Supplied)

"When Dave and Shane were 13 years old, Shane slipped when jumping off the pier at [Half] Moon Bay … and knocked himself out.

"Dave jumped in the water and saved his life.

Shane Warne's brother, Jason, said the pair pushed each other, but in the right way. (AAP: Julian Smith)

Jason told mourners he and his brother pushed each other, "but for the right reasons".

"He was the best brother I could have asked for," he said.

"He will leave a massive hole in my life that will never be filled."

'Rest in peace, mate'

Shane Warne's father Keith recounts his family's "darkest day".

Warne's father, Keith, said the day of the spin bowler's death was "the darkest day in our family's life".

He said thinking about a world without his son was "inconceivable".

"We do take comfort in knowing that Shane packed more in his life of 52 years, five months and 19 days than most people would in two lifetimes," he said.

He said what Shane achieved in his cricketing career was "unimaginable". But it was what he did off the pitch that his family was remembering.

"He was a doting father who loved and adored his children. He was a loving and caring son and brother. He was a sports hero who happily handed out autographs and stood for photos, sometimes for hours on end," Keith Warne recalled.

"We are grateful the world loved our son as we did, and are thankful he touched so many lives in so many ways.

"Mate, your mother and I cannot imagine a life without you.

"You have been taken too soon and our hearts are broken. Thank you for all you did for us. And for being such a loving and caring son.

"Rest in peace, mate. Love you, Mum and Dad."

Shane Warne was farewelled by tens of thousands of mourners at the MCG. (AAP: Jenny Evans)
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