The body of late cricket icon Shane Warne has arrived back in Australia almost a week after his sudden death in Thailand at the age of 52. 

The legendary spin bowler was on holiday on the island of Koh Samui with friends when he was found unresponsive last Friday, March 4. He was later confirmed dead.

His casket was pictured draped in an Australian flag being loaded into a van from a Bangkok morgue ahead of his return home. 

The emotional spectacle of seeing Warne’s casket decorated in the Australian flag was a fitting tribute for the cricket legend who took 708 test wickets for his country and played 145 tests in the baggy green. 

The private jet carrying the Warne touched down at Essendon Field Airport in Melbourne at 8.30pm on Thursday night, March 10. 

Warne’s son Jackson and ex-wife Simone Callahan were among those who were present to greet the private plane. 

His family have accepted Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’s offer of a state memorial. The government has also announced this week that the Great Southern Stand would be renamed to S.K. Warne Stand, in honour of the leg spinner.

“The S.K. Warne Stand will be a permanent tribute to an amazing Victorian,” Andrews had said at the time of the announcement.

His memorial service will be held on the evening of March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. Members of the public will be able to attend the service, which will be free of charge to attend. 

It is understood that a private family service is expected to be held towards the end of next week. 

Warne’s family, including his three children and ex-wife, have all publicly paid tribute to him and expressed their shock over his death. 

The public is invited to leave tributes to Shane Warne here.