Ashraf Ali Siddiqui joins in paying tribute to the cricketing legend
Shane Warne’s autobiography the starry-eyed boy from suburban Melbourne who became the king of spin – was celebrated as a wizard who deeply understood cricket. His untimely death at the age of 52 is still deeply mourned and there is no dearth of tributes paid to him the world over. The latest tribute to follow is the one planned to be paid by the Sky Sports throughout England’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s. The spin-bowling great, who died in March 2022, will be remembered throughout the first Test by former players and the Sky Sports cricket team, with whom Warne spent a number of years working following his playing career.
During the first Test, Sky Sports viewers will be shown a two-part documentary entitled “Bowled Shane,” which tells the story of the ‘05 and ‘06/07 Ashes series. Warne was the main character throughout both dramatic series, cementing his reputation as one of the game’s greatest ever players. In partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Sky Sports will also be commemorating its former colleague by renaming the main commentary box in the J.P. Morgan Media Centre at Lord’s after the former leg-spinner. The tribute will be unveiled on the morning of 2 June by another of Warne’s former Sky Sports Cricket colleagues Rob Key, now Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket.
Mark Taylor, the former Australian captain and Warne’s close friend, will also join Sky Sports’ coverage to discuss Warne’s impact on the game alongside Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Mel Jones, Ian Ward, Simon Doull and Eoin Morgan. Finally, to celebrate the cricketing great whose playing number was 23, there will be a minute’s applause on 23 overs. His admirers maintain that Warne’s magic will never be forgotten. It was mentioned that on the pitch, he was simply the greatest, while off it, he was a wonderful and loyal friend. No words can capture his contribution to the game but his magic on the field as well as in the commentary box and in life itself will never be forgotten. It is expected that the tributes paid to him will remind those who witnessed him in action of his greatness as well as hopefully introduce young cricket fans to a cricketing legend.
It was also mentioned that Shane Warne was a man who entertained us on the field and was passionate about improving the sport off it. He was an Honorary Life Member of MCC and its members acknowledge that they were fortunate to benefit from this directly through his work on their World Cricket committee and also as the Head Coach of London Spirit men’s team last summer. Sky Sports Cricket expert and former England captain Nasser Hussain said of Warne that he was absolutely box office. He added that it was a nightmare being at the other end from him as one knew he could make one look very silly. At the same time, it was a great thrill being at the other end to arguably the greatest cricketer that has ever played the game. He enjoyed the mickey taking and enjoyed being around people who didn’t just see him as Shane Warne’s autobiography the superstar but the lad who had pizza and a bowl of fries at lunch. He never forgot his mates growing up and he loved them. His friends point out that he was larger than life and one of the greatest players ever to have played cricket. TW
