Shane Warne will be remembered during the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26.
Spectators in the stadium are urged to wear a floppy hat as a tribute to the late Warne, who was known for donning the wide-brimmed floppy hat instead of the traditional baggy green.
Supporters are also advised to tip their hat at 3:50 pm AEDT (10:20 am IST) as a gesture in recognition of Shane Warne’s Test cap number.
Cricket Australia (CA) and the Shane Warne Legacy (SWL) will collaborate to offer complimentary heart tests during the initial four days of the Test. The ex-Australian spinner passed away from a heart attack during a vacation in Thailand in March 2022 at the age of 52.
Nick Hockley, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, addressed the initiative in a statement, stating:
“We’re delighted to partner with the Shane Warne Legacy for an initiative that will significantly raise awareness about the importance of heart health.”
“Shane is greatly missed here in Australia and around the world, and we are grateful to the Shane Warne Legacy and the Warne family in partnering with us to help make a positive difference in his honour.”
Hockley added:
“I encourage everyone to come along to the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test and take part in the Shane Warne Legacy Heart Tests and to always seek the advice of your medical professional on this and other health issues.”
Likewise, supporters honored Warne during last year’s Boxing Day Test between South Africa and Australia by donning floppy hats.
Just like the previous year, the game paused at 3:50 pm to pay tribute to Warne’s Test cap number, and this year’s crowd will also be requested to simultaneously tip their wide-brimmed headwear around the stadium at that moment.
“This collaboration is of great importance to us and the entire Warne family”- SWL chief
Helen Nolan, the head of the Shane Warne Legacy (SWL), expressed joy about partnering with Cricket Australia for the commendable initiative of offering complimentary heart tests and more.
Administered by SiSU Health, the on-site testing will assess blood pressure, resting heart rate, and provide an estimate of heart age and diabetes risk.
“This partnership holds immense significance for us and the entire Warne family. It provides a special gathering place at the iconic MCG, allowing cricket enthusiasts and the broader public to come together and honour Shane during one of his favourite weeks of the year – on the grounds he often fondly referred to as his ‘office’,” said Helen Nolan.
“Through our partnership with Cricket Australia, we not only create a space to get a free ‘Shane Warne Legacy heart test’ but also offer the broader public an opportunity to come together, reflect on Shane’s life, acknowledge the significance he held for each individual, and collectively pay respect to him,” she added.
Warne stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in Test history, claiming 708 wickets in 145 matches, which includes 37 instances of taking five or more wickets in an innings.
In his remarkable career, the leg-spinner played a crucial role in Australia’s victory in the 1999 ODI World Cup, delivering Player of the Match performances in both the semi-final and final.
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