Pat Cummins gives a poetic tribute to Shane Warne’s legacy on his 55th birth anniversary

Australian Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Shane Warne on his 55th birth anniversary. The tribute, delivered in the form of a poetic recitation, has garnered worldwide attention.

The video, published by cricket.com.au, features Cummins narrating a poem that describes Warne's illustrious career, magnetic personality, and influence on the game. The 31-year-old fast bowler's words paint a picture of Warne's extraordinary talents and charisma, touching on various aspects of his life both on and off the field.

Warne passed away on March 4, 2022, in Thailand, due to a cardiac arrest. A state memorial service held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 30, 2022, was reportedly witnessed by over one million Australians, to pay respect to their national hero.

Also Read: Shane Warne's daughter wishes her late father on his 55th birth anniversary

From Launceston to the Long Room, we've all been left depleted: Pat Cummins

The spin wizard remains the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 708 scalps in 145 matches. A key player in Australia's 1999 World Cup victory, Warne also had a huge impact on Rajasthan Royals' title victory in the inaugural IPL season.

"The wickets we can tally up but the emotions we can't measure up, the feelings, the feelings he stirred in us, the simple sense of pleasure. A chubby blonde in cricket whites, he took up the ball in 12, and in 15 years, he cast his spell on the cricket world. He was just a bloke, extraordinary, fallible, and flawed. It meant he felt like one of us, made him all the more adored, which is why he left us grappling, left the cricket world defeated," Cummins said.

"From Launceston to the Long Room, we've all been left depleted. But flip that thought and think instead of how enriched we are by Warne. Let's salute a pure entertainer and to the greatest bowl," he further read.