Shane Warne's death this year was one of the most shocking moments in cricket history. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has paid tribute to him by naming its top men's Test honour under his name.
Legendary former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne bid farewell to the world on a shocking note when he passed away earlier this year while holidaying in Thailand due to a cardiac arrest. The news plunged the cricketing fraternity across the globe into gloominess. As tributes flowed in from across the cricketing world, before the year's conclusion, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to dedicate another tribute to him by naming its top men's Test honour in his name. On Monday, the CA and Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) paid homage to his legacy by hosting the first Boxing Day Test at his honoured venue of, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) between Australia and South Africa.
The Shane Warne Test Player Of The Year sounds pretty good to us ❤️ pic.twitter.com/S5Iasx6Hyw
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus)CA also announced that its annual men's Test Player of the Year award would be named after Warne. The annual award is given on the night of Australia's famous Allan Border medal ceremony. The latter is handed to Australia's best men's international cricketer across formats, alongside the Belinda Clark medal for women.
The MCG crowd rises as one at 3:50pm to salute Shane Warne 👑 pic.twitter.com/c6DDT3xpjI
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket)ALSO READ: TEAM INDIA - KL RAHUL'S TECHNIQUE, RATIONAL SELECTION CALLS ARE NEED OF THE HOUR
A beautiful tribute to the great Shane Warne to kick off the Boxing Day test. ❤️
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/PkNSUNiMlJ pic.twitter.com/4evWzuGbzv
Warne won the men's Test Player of the Year award in 2006, as he became one of the spin greats, grasping 708 wickets in 145 Tests. On occasion, CA CEO Nick Hockley expressed, "As one of Australia's all-time greats, it is fitting we acknowledge Shane's extraordinary contribution to Test cricket by naming this award in his honour in perpetuity."
A blockbuster Boxing Day Test at the mighty MCG paying tribute to the King of Spin, Shane Warne 💚💛 | pic.twitter.com/hGbUoLAGrb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)During the pre-contest ceremony on Monday, both sides honoured Warne by donning white floppy hats while walking out for their respective national anthems. Also, the fans were encouraged to wear similar hats and zinc creams to mark respect for him. It is the maiden Test played in the MCG since his passing. Also, a stand was named in his honour after his death. While his career highlights package was played on the giant screen, his name and number were outlined on the outfield for this Test match.
The Boxing Day Test is here, and it won't quite be the same without Shane Warne... A truly inspiring human being and friend of the Rabbitohs. 🏏🐇💚❤️ pic.twitter.com/F0cgdHhv8u
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS)