Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association have announced that the men's Test player of the year award will be renamed after Shane Warne. The decision was revealed during the first session of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday.
CA chief executive Nick Hockley said: '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.' He added that the sight of fans in floppy hats and zinc cream at the MCG demonstrated Warne's profound impact on the game.
Warne, who died suddenly on 4 March aged 52, played 145 Tests between 1992 and 2007, taking 708 wickets – a record at the time. His Test cap number, 'Warnie 350', was stencilled onto the MCG turf, and members of his family were in the crowd for the first Boxing Day Test at his home ground since his death.
During the pre-game ceremony, both teams lined up in floppy white hats, a nod to Warne's iconic look. The Great Southern Stand at the MCG was renamed after Warne earlier this year. A further tribute was scheduled for 3.50pm on Monday.
Warne revolutionised leg-spin bowling and is remembered for his 'ball of the century' to Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes. He was named one of Wisden's five cricketers of the 20th century. The CA annual awards, including the Allan Border Medal and Belinda Clark Award, will be held on 30 January.
