Players, coaches, commentators and fans on Friday united for a special BBL-themed tribute to the late great Shane Warne, highlighted by a moving standing ovation after the 23rd ball of the match.
The clash between the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes was the first BBL match at the MCG since Warne’s sudden passing in early March.
Warne, the greatest Australian bowler of all-time and one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the century, played an integral role in the launch of the BBL. He came out of retirement to play for the Stars across the first two seasons, significantly lifting the profile of league.
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Stars players on Friday all warmed up in Warne-themed tops with the No. 23 on their backs — the number Warne donned for limited-overs matches during his famous cricket career. An original Stars top featuring Warne’s name and number, as well as a cap, were also present near the boundary rope for the match
Then just after the 23rd ball of the match, there was a moving moment as players stopped and fans rose to their feet for a standing ovation for Warne.
“Long live the king of spin,” Fox Cricket’s Corbin Middlemas said after the applause.
The leg-spinner famously commentated himself dismissing Heat batter Brendon McCullum, correctly predicting he’d bowl the Kiwi around his legs while mic’d up. He was also involved in a passionate, heated confrontation with then Renegades batter Marlon Samuels, adding extra spice to the emerging Melbourne derby rivalry.
“I was coaching the Brisbane Heat at the time and for him to come out of retirement and play with the Stars and just the way he went about it, it gave a real buzz to the competition … He really set the competition alight,” former Aussie batter Darren Lehmann told Fox Cricket.
Stars coach David Hussey, who played alongside Warner during the early BBL seasons, said Warne “shaped this (Stars) group to who we are today”.
“He’s the king for a reason,” Hussey told Fox Cricket. “He’s a big part of the Melbourne Stars, he created the culture of the group and he made the Melbourne Stars what they are today.
“When he came in, he was a breath of fresh air and took a lot of pressure off the younger members of the team. He probably taught us the way how the modern game is played today.
“I miss him all the time. I used to call him up, text him at all times and he’d text straight back — a wonderful man.
“He’s a magic man that we’re all going to miss.”
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West Indies legend Brian Lara said Warne was ultra competitive on the field, but his “fun” and “jovial” attitude made him a delight to deal with off the field.
“I enjoyed the challenge (of facing Warne). Wherever he went and whenever he picked the ball up, the buzz in the arena just went up. It could’ve been in the Caribbean or Australia, Shane Warne with a cricket ball was something very special.
“We had a lot of encounters together. I got the better of him and he got the better of me — it was a great battle. To play during that Shane Warne era of cricket was very special and to share that international stage with him.”
Stars set to honour late Shane Warne | 00:54
Hurricanes assistant coach and former Victorian teammate of Warne’s Darren Berry said his great mate’s legacy would “live long beyond all of us”.
“There’s many difficult days. I find it difficult looking behind me up to the Shane Warne Stand when we’re talking past tense,” berry told Fox Cricket.
“To be honest, I’m still doing it tough.
“He’s a true legend … we miss him greatly.”
