PHOTO: The Great Southern Stand at the MCG
The Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be renamed the S.K. Warne Stand, in tribute to cricketing legend Shane Warne who died aged 52.
Mr Warne, who ended his spell-binding international career in 2007 with a remarkable 708 test wickets, died from a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand, his family confirmed in a statement.
“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement read.
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.”
Victorian Sporting Minister Martin Pakula says the renaming of the stand will be taking place “as soon as we possibly can”.
“I can think of no fine a tribute to the greatest cricketer this state has ever produced,” Mr Pakula said.
“No matter whatever happens to that stand in the future, whether it’s rebuilt or refurbished, renovated. It will remain the S.K. Warne Stand in perpetuity because his legend will live in perpetuity.
“He’s the greatest cricketer the state has ever produced, and it will be a long, long time before we say one anywhere near as good as him.”
Cricket Australia chair Lachlan Henderson said it has been a “very sad 24 hours for cricket”.
“Yesterday, we learned the very sad news the passing of cricket grade Rod Marsh at age 74. And this morning we woke to the awful news of the tragic passing of Shane Warne at age 52. Both legends of our game.”
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