SL vs AUS: Shane Warne to get a fitting tribute ahead of 1st Test in Galle

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to give a grand salute to the late Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne who passed away on March 4 this year. The Lankan cricket board has decided to do the honors during the first Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia that will commence at the Galle International Stadium on June 29.

SLC has decided to honour the legendary cricketer for his immense contributions to the country during the devastating tsunami in December 2004 when he visited affected areas and made a lot of donations to the victims. It is to be noted that Warne had also picked up his 500th Test wicket at Galle in March 2004 when he castled Hashan Tillakaratne.

He did voice that he was concerned about the welfare of Sri Lankans affected: SLC

“He did voice that he was concerned about the welfare of Sri Lankans affected and as much saddened by the devastation of the Galle Stadium,” a report on SLC’s website said according to News18. Galle was the venue where the Australian great became the first bowler in Test history to take 500 wickets. This June 29 will evoke memories of Warne who “proved to be a true friend to his adversaries off the field in time of distress,” it added.

Sri Lankans will stand to attention in a fitting salute to all-time cricketing great Australian spin wizard Shane Warne when the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia gets underway on June 29 at the Galle.#SLvAUS https://t.co/xOOfVksvdA

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 27, 2022

Shane Warne was found dead in his hotel room in Thailand where he had gone on a holiday with his friends. The doctors suspected that the spin legend lost his life due to a suspected heart attack. Post his cricketing journey, Warne worked as a broadcaster and cricket pundit. The Melbourne cricketer found immense success during his playing days as he finished his illustrious career as the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests (709) and became only the second bowler after his Sri Lankan counterpart Muttiah Muralitharan to register more than 1,000 international wickets.

According to Sri Lanka’s tourism minister Harin Fernando, the Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive officer has confirmed that Shane Warne’s family members will be in attendance for watching the game.