Categories
Cricket

Emotional farewell to the Greatest ever – Shane Warne

One of Shane Warne’s former foes Nasser Hussain has described the legendary legspinner as the greatest cricketer who ever lived.

From his first Test to his last, the late, great #ShaneWarne takes you through the big and important moments from his career 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/UgZkLPvxC6

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 30, 2022

Former Australian teammates and rivals paid tribute to Warne at the MCG in a star-studded state memorial service on Wednesday.

Ex-England captain Hussain, who Warne tormented during his 145-Test career, was blown away by his feats on the field.

‘It was the person he was away from the cricket field that we will forever hold up as his finest achievements’ ❤️

Shane Warne’s father, Keith, delivers a touching tribute.

📺 Watch the #ShaneWarne memorial on @foxtel
CH 501 or stream on @kayosportshttps://t.co/ESpheFH5uB pic.twitter.com/c2zLhyAiBx

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022

Warne finished his career in 2007 with 708 Test wickets and was named as one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century alongside Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Jack Hobbs and Viv Richards.

“The greatest cricketer who has ever played the game,” Hussain told Fox Sports before the service began. “Unbelievable cricketer and bloke.”

Nasser Hussain pays tribute to Shane Warne with a beautiful rendition of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’.

Warne’s public memorial service is being held at the MCG in Australia on Wednesday at 1:30pm IST. pic.twitter.com/2hHZM7T7hm

— ICC (@ICC) March 30, 2022

In a panel discussion in the middle of the MCG with former Australian stars Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Merv Hughes, and West Indies legend Brian Lara, Hussain told a story about Warne getting him out in a tri-series final in 1999.

“I sledged him for some apparent reason and I’ve said something ‘like enjoy your last game as captain’,” Hussain said during the service. I’ll be surprised if you haven’t got the footage of me running down the pitch, very next delivery after that slog sweep and getting stumped.

The ‘Shane Warne Stand’ is unveiled at the MCG by his children – Brooke, Jackson, and Summer – during the state memorial service for the Australia legend ✨ pic.twitter.com/mhMb8W3Vck

— ICC (@ICC) March 30, 2022

“It was a privilege to be on a cricket field with you – you were the greatest bowler I ever saw.”

Border believed Warne’s arrival on the international scene helped prolong his own career.

“It revitalised my captaincy towards the end of my time,” he said. “I was lucky to have two years with Shane and I just thank him for that.”

Lara called Warne the “greatest Australian that I know.”

⚡️
⚡️
⚡️

A poetic tribute to the life and magic of Shane Keith Warne, as read by Australia Test captain @patcummins30 #ShaneWarne pic.twitter.com/JVFcUKLWzs

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 30, 2022

Hughes recounted a story of Warne memorably honouring a promise for a kindergarten auction and praised his generosity.

“A very loyal friend, and as good as he was in the cricket field, he was five times better off it. Very loyal, and if he said he was going to do something, he would deliver.”

Shane Warne took 64 Test wickets at the @SCG. A tribute featuring the scorecards of each Test wicket hugs the boundary tonight. #LoveOurSCG pic.twitter.com/9cT0kgSLgD

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) March 30, 2022

Brett Lee, who played with Warne during a golden era for Australia, said there would never be anyone like him.

The greatest Australian cricketers of the last 40 years, including Glenn McGrath and Michael Clarke, were among those in the crowd.

Current Australian stars watched the service from home and abroad with the white-ball squad in Pakistan for ODIs and a Twenty20.

The legend of #ShaneWarne lives forever at the mighty MCG! 🏟

🎥 @MCG pic.twitter.com/pAtjmiP45j

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 30, 2022

But Warne’s sporting interests were not just confined to cricket, with AFL club St Kilda one of his great passions. Retired Saints champion Nick Riewoldt was one of Warne’s all-time favourite AFL players.

Riewoldt could not believe one of Australia’s greatest sportspeople worshipped him. “He was just a massive fan and enormous mentor to all St Kilda people.”

‘Nothing will be more upsetting about how much I already miss you, dad’ 💔

A touching tribute by Brooke Warne.

📝 Live Blog: https://t.co/3YN6OSsA0I
📺 Watch the #ShaneWarne memorial on @foxtel
CH 501 or stream on @kayosportshttps://t.co/ESpheFH5uB pic.twitter.com/jDV5c3tjdk

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 30, 2022

A trumpeter played St Kilda’s theme song, ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ near the conclusion of the service.

A number of former AFL stars who did not even play for St Kilda, including Gary Ablett Jnr and Brendan Fevola, were in the audience.

Tonight we farewell a legend.

Shane Warne inspired a generation of cricketers, and provided countless irreplaceable memories.

If you’re coming to the State Memorial Service tonight, please read through the important information on our website prior to arriving at the MCG. pic.twitter.com/WRHN39POVG

— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) March 29, 2022

The Great Southern Stand at the MCG was formally unveiled as the Shane Warne Stand by his children – Brooke, Summer and Jackson – to close an epic ceremony.

Courtesy: AAP