Australian legend Shane Warne will be honoured by the Melbourne Stars during their first game of the Big Bash League 2022-23 – against the Hobart Hurricanes – at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
Warne, the first bowler to 700 Test wickets and a key member of Australia’s 1999 World Cup triumph and seven Ashes series wins during his international career spanning a decade and a half, represented the Stars in 15 matches between 2011 and 2013. The champion leg-spinner bagged 11 wickets while maintaining an economy of 7.25 for the franchise.
He died on March 4, 2022, aged 52, of a suspected heart attack while holidaying on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand.
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Warne will be celebrated in numerous ways at his home ground on Friday. Every player will have Warne’s number 23 incorporated into their kit at the start of the game, with one of his playing tops to be displayed on a plinth with his cap. This would be followed by a standing ovation after the 23rd ball of the game.
His playing top will be permanently hung in the changerooms as a tribute, with the Stars having decided to permanently retire the number 23. His family has been invited into the changerooms after the match and will be a part of the presentation ceremony.
“I want to thank the Warne family for their support in helping us recognise the amazing legacy that Shane left with the Stars,”
Stars General Manager Blair Crouch said.
“His time at the club may have been short but his impact will be everlasting and we’re looking forward to celebrating that on Friday night at the MCG with all of our members and fans.”
The Stars will kickstart their BBL 12 campaign against Sydney Thunder in Canberra on Tuesday. They will be without the services of Glenn Maxwell, who has been ruled out of action for months following a freak leg-injury. Adam Zampa will lead the Stars at BBL 2022-23.
