Shane Warne’s son thanks the cricket community for honouring his late father during Boxing Day test

The son of late cricket legend, Shane Warne, has expressed his gratitude to the cricket community for their tribute to his father during the Boxing Day test at the MCG.

Thousands of fans packed the MCG on December 26 for the first Boxing Day Test since Warne’s death at the age of 52 in March.

In a show of respect, attendees donned floppy hats and zinc which was Warne’s trademark look during Test matches.

Warne’s Australian playing number, 350, was painted on the field and at 3.50pm the crowd rose to their feet in applause to recognise Warne’s legacy.

Following the emotional day of sport, Jackson Warne took to social media to thank all those who were in attendance to pay tribute to his late father.

“I thought I’d just come on here because I wanted to firstly say I hope everyone had a good Christmas, spending time with your close friends and family,” he said.

“I know for some people it was their first time without partners or loved ones which would have been tough. But I hope you found a way to try and smile and enjoy the sun in the company that you were with.

“Thank you to everyone who attended the Boxing Day test and that was wearing a floppy hat and zinc.

“I was actually at the game yesterday, and it was really really cool to see everyone in white.

“And it was just cool talking to Gilly [Adam Gilchrist] as well, with my Fox Cricket interview, in front of the Shane Warne stand and the Shane Warne Boxing Day Test was very special.

“So yeah, just want to come in here and say thank you and I hope everyone has a good week and enjoy the sun.”

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Fans were quick to wish Jackson and his family a Merry Christmas while praising the 23 year old for the “great job” he has been doing since his father’s passing.

“You are making your Dad proud well done keep up the great job,” one fan wrote.

“It’s almost like still listening to Shane your look & sound so much like your dad hope U & your sister had a good Xmas too Jackson happyNew yr too

“Had a ball at the test mate, great to see this become tradition.”

“You have such a beautiful soul, your Dad would be so proud. Merry Christmas.”

“Jackson your making your dad proud, the tribute to your dad wearing the floppy hat and zinc Shane’s trade mark, he was there cheering on the Aussies.”

Jackson has previously taken to social media to open up to fans about how he has coped with the loss of his father while thanking all those who have supported him through the difficult time.

“This year I could’ve easily gone downhill,” he wrote.

“I could’ve drank a lot of alcohol, gambled too much, quit the gym, ate shit food and not socialise. Be miserable.

“But I didn’t. I didn’t because I used this trauma as energy for life. I surrounded myself with good people, went to the gym EVERY DAY, drank water, swam, laughed a lot and was consistent. 1 day at a time.

“I can now say because of this I am the happiest and healthiest I’ve been. Health is wealth.

“It cost’s $0 to exercise, laugh, drink water and go outside. If you do this I promise you’ll be the happiest and healthiest you can be.

“To everyone who is still messaging me and supports me every single day, It doesn’t go unnoticed and I appreciate it. Thank you.”

 

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Warne, died of a suspected heart attack, age 52 while enjoying a holiday on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand on March 4, 2022.

Following his sudden death, Warne’s management released a statement acknowledging the tragedy.

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement said.

Warne was widely considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. He played his first Test match in 1992 and took over 1,000 wickets in Tests and One-Day Internationals over the course of his career. Warne’s 708 Test wickets from 145 tests was the record for the most wickets taken by any bowler in Test cricket until 2007.

Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack recognised Shane’s incredible sporting achievements by naming him as one of its Five Cricketers of the Twentieth Century alongside fellow cricket icons Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Jack Hobbs and Sir Vivian Richards. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.