The Melbourne Cricket Ground observed a poignant moment to honor one of the greatest bowlers from Victoria and Australia, as the crowd of 83,000 paid their respects to the late Shane Warne on Boxing Day during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The tribute was initiated by Warne's children, Jackson and Brooke, who guided the large audience in removing their caps, emulating Warne's iconic celebration from the Ashes series. In a deeply moving scene, spectators donned floppy hats and collectively raised them in a wave of admiration for one of Australian cricket's legends, who sadly passed away in March 2022.

The ceremony took place at 3:50 PM Melbourne time, in remembrance of Warne, whose cap number was 350. Additionally, a stand at the MCG bears his name, and a statue commemorates his illustrious career, during which he claimed 708 Test wickets and a total of 1001 international scalps.

The Australian cricket team traditionally commemorates the first day of the Melbourne Test each year, as it was the home ground of the legendary Shane Warne. During the Boxing Day Test in 2022 against South Africa, all Australian players donned the iconic floppy hat in tribute to Warne, and the Great Southern Stand was renamed in his honour. While the baggy green cap holds a significant place in Australian sports culture, Warne's association with the floppy hat has made it a symbol of his unique style as a leg-spinner.

Warne experienced numerous remarkable moments at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he claimed 56 Test wickets, including three five-wicket hauls and a notable hat-trick during the Ashes series in 1994. This venue also witnessed his 700th Test wicket, as he bowled Andrew Strauss cleanly, causing an eruption of celebration among the crowd.

Third session wickets bring India back into the contest

In the current Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia appears to be in a commanding position, with all four of their top-order batsmen scoring half-centuries, including the teenage debutant Sam Konstas. Nevertheless, India's recent quick wickets, notably Jasprit Bumrah's dismissal of Travis Head for a duck, have brought the match back into contention as the first day draws to a close.

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