Shane Warne Honoured: Cricket Australia rename Annual Award for Men's Test Player; tributes pour in at MCG

The Australia men's Test Player of the Year award was renamed in honour of spin wizard Shane Warne, Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) made a joint announcement on Monday.

The top men's Test award is handed out every year at the CA's Awards ceremony alongside the Allan Border medal and the Belinda Clark medal for the women's game. CA chief executive Nick Hockley confirmed to pay the tribute in honour of the legend spinner by renaming the award.

"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," said Hockley.

"Shane was a proud advocate of Test cricket and you only have to look around at all the fans who came out to the MCG in their floppy hats and zinc on Boxing Day to realise what a profound impact he had on the game." 

The late Shane Warne was honoured in the pre-match ceremony ahead of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and the Aussies. Adding to this, it is the first time a red-ball contest is being played in front of the newly named Shane Warne stand at the iconic MCG.

Tributes flow during Day 1 of Boxing Day Test

In the ongoing Test contest between the Proteas and the hosts at the MCG, fans were encouraged to wear a wide-brim hat and zinc just like the great spin wizard did. Furthermore, players from both teams donned iconic floppy hats as a tribute to the late cricketer.

The MCG crowd rises as one at 3:50pm to salute Shane Warne 👑 pic.twitter.com/c6DDT3xpjI

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2022

A giant sign that read ‘Warne 350’ (his Test cap number) was imprinted on the turf, square of the wicket in the stadium. Fans present in the iconic cricket ground stood at 3:50 pm to salute Warne by raising the floppy hats from the stands.

Speaking about the Test match, Australia are on the lookout to further solidify their case for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship summit clash. The side is currently standing on top of the points table following a massive win against the Proteas in the first Test at the Gabba and will look to clinch the series at the MCG in the ongoing Test match.