The Great Southern Stand of the Melbourne Cricket Ground has been renamed S.K. Warne Stand as tribute to the legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne, who died on 4 March. Warne died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand at the age of 52.
'We will be renaming the Great Southern Stand the S.K. Warne stand and we'll be doing that as soon as we possibly can,' said Martin Pakula, Victoria's minister of sports. 'I can think of no finer tribute to the greatest cricketer this state has produced than to rename the stand the S.K. Warne stand and no matter whatever happens to that stand in the future whether it's rebuilt, refurbished, renovated, it will remain the S.K. Warne stand in perpetuity because his legend will live in perpetuity.'
Warne is survived by daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, and son Jackson, 22. He will be given a state funeral, confirmed Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
With 78 wickets in 145 matches, Warne is Australia's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. Of these, 195 came against England – the most by anyone against a single opposition. After his retirement in 2007, Warne actively featured in T20 franchise leagues. He led Rajasthan Royals to the title in the first IPL season, in 2008. Warne was also an animated and energetic commentator.