Watch: Melbourne crowd pays tribute to Shane Warne with floppy hat tradition during Boxing Day Test

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) paid a special tribute to cricket legend Shane Warne on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India. Fans honored Shane Warne by removing their floppy hats. His children, Summer and Jackson Warne, were present at the MCG while paying the tribute.

Shane Warne is celebrated as one of the greatest cricketers in history. The former Australia cricketer picked up 708 Test wickets over his illustrious career. He is the second-highest wicket-taker in the Test format, behind Muttiah Muralitharan. Warne also took 293 wickets in ODIs, further cementing his legacy.

Melbourne Cricket Ground Honors Shane Warne with Heartfelt Tribute

The Melbourne Cricket Ground paid a heartfelt tribute to Shane Warne at 3:50 PM during the Boxing Day Test. The tribute marked Warne’s Test cap number 350, honoring the legendary leg-spinner's immense legacy.

This tradition of doffing floppy hats started in the 2022 Boxing Day Test. The MCG played a video of Warne’s iconic career moments, drawing cheers from the crowd, as his children, Summer and Jackson, led the tribute. Cricket Australia also shared a video of Warne’s children and fans paying their respects.

The tribute included memories of Warne’s match-winning performances and his association with the MCG. Following his passing in 2022, the Great Southern Stand was renamed the "Shane Warne Stand" to honor his unparalleled contributions.

Paying respect to the late great Shane Warne ❤️#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/omw10WUPw9

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024

Shane Warne's Special Bond with the Melbourne Cricket Ground

Shane Warne shared a special connection with the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which witnessed some of his most memorable cricketing feats. In the 1994 Boxing Day Test against England, Warne picked up a stunning hat-trick, dismissing Phil DeFreitas, Darren Gough, and Devon Malcolm.

The MCG also became the venue for his historic 700th Test wicket during the 2006-07 Ashes series, when he dismissed England's Andrew Strauss. The milestone was celebrated by a massive crowd.

Over 80,000 Fans Attend the Opening Day of the Boxing Day Test

More than 80,000 fans gathered on Thursday for the opening day of the fourth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

At the toss, Australian skipper Pat Cummins chose to bat first. Reflecting on the Boxing Day tradition, Cummins remarked on its significance for Australians, recalling the excitement of waking up after Christmas to watch the first ball.

"We gonna have a bat today. There's a bit of a grass like an old MCG wicket, looks nice and firm. It's been a great series so far. (On what it means to play on Boxing Day) As a child in Australia when you wake up, you have a good night's sleep after Christmas, and you look forward to the first ball. Sam will open the batting and Scott also comes in for Hazlewood," Cummins said.

Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

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