Legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne will be remembered on the first day of the second Test match of South Africa’s tour of Australia 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A customary Boxing Day Test match will be the first one to be played in Melbourne since Warne’s unfortunate and sudden demise earlier this year.
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Warne, who had died as a 52-year old in Thailand, was a local player when it came to the iconic MCG and Victoria. Hence, it is a fitting initiative by Cricket Australia to honour Warne here on December 26.
With a white floppy hat and a zinc cream commonly used by Warne as part of his cricket gear during his playing days, fans have been advised to wear the same on Monday as a mark of respect for Warne. Cricketers of both the teams will also be seen donning the same during the national anthems before the start of the match.
Furthermore, 350, Warne’s Test cap number, will be up for display on the ground. Screens at the MCG will also display highlights of Warne’s career. Warne, who grabbed a Test hat-trick and picked his 700th Test wicket at this venue, had dismissed a total of 56 batters at an average of 22.92 and a strike rate of 56 with the help of three five-wicket hauls in Melbourne Tests.
Tribute to Shane Warne on Boxing Day
Australia batter David Warner, who will be playing his 100th Test match on the day after tomorrow, might also surpass the 8,000-run mark in the same match. Not letting the focus fall on himself, Warner spoke at length about an “icon” of the game in Warne. Warner, 36, didn’t forget to urge people to don floppy hats and apply zinc creams to provide a felicitous tribute to Warne.
“I loved growing up watching Warney [Shane Warne]. He was such a larrikin and he got the best out of every single person. When he was on the field, that competitive nature he had was fantastic,” Warner said in a video posted by cricket.com.au on social media platform Twitter.
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“It’s going to be a big occasion for us as a team, but for everyone in cricket and especially in Melbourne, if we can get out here and recognize that, put on your floppies and white zinc, it will be much appreciated.”
