By Roy Ward
Cricket legend Shane Warne was the “King” when it came to the Melbourne Stars and the Big Bash club will make sure his contribution is remembered when it retires his number 23 at its home-opener at the MCG on Friday night.
Injured Stars captain Glenn Maxwell and coach David Hussey announced the decision on Thursday as the Stars look to bounce back from a one-wicket loss to the Sydney Sixers at Manuka Oval on Tuesday night.
Shane Warne’s number 23 with the Stars will be retired.Credit:Getty Images
Maxwell hailed Warne’s contribution to the Stars and said he would be missed after his sudden death earlier this year. “It’s nice to be able to remember him in this way, he was a big part of the Stars’ first year in the BBL – we needed the King and the BBL certainly needed him as well,” Maxwell said while standing alongside the Warne statute at the MCG on Thursday.
“He was very passionate about it. He loved this time of year and he was always on the phone to myself and Huss to talk about the games and know how the boys were going. He was heavily involved right until the end, hopefully we can send him off this season with a really nice tribute.”
Hussey said Warne’s presence would be missed. “He was the Stars,” Hussey said. “He came in when the whole competition needed a star, and we needed a leader. What he did provide for us kids at the time was he took all the pressure off us and showed us how to play at this level.”
Maxwell added it was right that No. 23 would only be Warne’s number. “They are pretty big shoes to fill, it would have been gutsy for anyone to ask for it and I don’t think anyone has – now we can put that to bed and no one can touch it ever again,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell’s recovery from a broken left tibia was slow as he still requires crutches and has his lower leg still in a moon boot, but he hasn’t given up all hope of returning this season if he is completely recovered.
He said his medical team was confident he could make a full recovery as long as he does everything required in his rehabilitation.
“I haven’t got a return date for you yet, not until I can start walking properly and doing some things around the house,” Maxwell said.
“I’m always hopeful, but I’m also realistic that my leg has been through some trauma and I have to make sure I do everything I can so I don’t have a recurring injury with my ankle joint and I can make sure I’m solid for the rest of my career.”
The Stars had an eventful start to the season with Marcus Stoinis and Joe Burns testing positive to COVID-19 on game day and, under new Big Bash guidelines, being able to play after being cleared by doctors and passing fitness tests.
The Stars followed the guidelines in having the players dress in a separate changeroom, sit by themselves away from the team and travel to the game in a different vehicle to their teammates.
Hussey said he was hopeful Stoinis would play on Friday night, while Burns will miss around four weeks after injuring his hamstring while batting, with Essendon Cricket Club all-rounder James Seymour to replace him on the team list.
Hussey also expects Burns will make a complete recovery and play the later games and finals and no one else had tested positive to COVID since Tuesday.
