Hopes Warnie’s lasting legacy will save lives at the Boxing Day Test

Cricket fans still reeling at the shock death of the “immortal” Shane Warne are queuing outside the MCG for free heart checks as the Boxing Day Test pays tribute to the spin king.

Dozens of fans lined up to get free heart checks outside the MCG on Tuesday morning, with 23 stations set up at the Boxing Day Test in memory of cricket legend, Shane Warne.

The tribute to Warnie has been snapped up by men and women, young and old, with many telling the Herald Sun it’s the first heart check they’ve had in years.

The medical-grade test takes just four minutes and checks blood pressure, BMI and Heart Age.

Darren Cox, 51, said he would “absolutely” get his heart checked today, realising he hadn’t had a check for years.

“Absolutely, I’ll go and get it checked up for my family and just for general health to make sure everything is okay,” he said.

Jane Torcasio, 45, said she was taking up the offer because had never had her heart checked before.

“I’ve never had my heart checked and given Shane Warne died how he did … why not?” she said.

“What have you got to lose?”.

Warnie’s brother Jason, children Summer, Jackson and Brooke, and dad Keith at the MCG. Picture: Mark Stewart

Josh Griffiths, 32, who also said he’d take up the offer, said Warnie’s shock death showed “no one is immortal”.

“It shows any icon or someone that may seem immortal could pass away at any time, so make the most of the offering today,” he said.

“Why wouldn’t you?”.

Sports and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos said he would be one of many getting the test done today as he encouraged fans to use the stations set up in and around the ground.

“We encourage all patients coming through today to take three or four minutes … that’s all it takes to do a heart test,” he said.

“I’ll be doing one today. It’s important for anyone who loves you and important for your peace of mind but also what a beautiful way to recognise one of the most iconic heroes of this game in Shane Warne and his family and his legacy.”

It comes after Shane Warne’s family urged cricket fans to make Boxing Day the beginning of a very special partnership.

The Australia-Pakistan Boxing Day Test at the MCG takes on extra meaning as it celebrates the extraordinary achievements of the spin king and launches a massive campaign to combat heart disease.

Fans will be encouraged to rise and tip their caps, or hats, to Warne at 3.50pm on each day of the Test, in a salute to his beloved baggy green No.350.

And his family hopes at least 1000 heart tests are taken on each of the first four days of the contest at 23 free check stations installed inside and around the ground.

Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland and Travis Head wearing the Shane Warne Legacy cricket hats. Picture: David Caird

The MCG initiative is part of a broader bid for 23,000 Aussies to receive free tests by the end of the year.

And in 2024, the cricket legend’s family and close friends – through the newly established Shane Warne Legacy not-for-profit organisation – hope to provide 500,000 Australians with free tests.

Shane Warne Legacy floppy hats and bucket hats bought at the ‘G will help fund the longer-term goal.

With a crowd of more than 70,000 expected to pack the MCG for one of Australian sport’s iconic days, Warne’s son Jackson said he hoped his dad’s lasting legacy would be saving lives at the Test he loved.

The Warne family is determined that others do not have to endure the sudden loss of a loved one as they did when Warne, 52, died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand almost two years ago.

“Each test adds to our scoreboard, showing our collective effort,’’ Jackson said.

“To be part of the team, just get a test. Let’s build a legacy of care, one heartbeat at a time.’’

Warne’s daughter Summer said his family was thrilled to see the initiative launched at the ‘G.

“Dad made history there, the MCG was such a big deal to him and such a huge part of dad’s life,’’ she said.

“The fact that his statue is there and now the heart tests will be there – everything is happening where the heart of cricket is so it’s just a full circle moment and he would be thrilled.

The MCG was a huge part of Shane Warne’s life, his daughter Summer Warne says. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

“We are so glad and happy that this is all happening and it’s incredible that this is starting a tradition.’’

The four-minute self-serve tests measure blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index and diabetes risk.

World-renowned cardiologist Professor Stephen Nicholls said they would have an ongoing impact, well beyond the MCG Test.

While impossible to predict how many lives would be saved, Professor Nicholls said the tests would undoubtedly be lifesaving and life-changing.

“Hopefully, from the coverage and the promotion, it will encourage many more to seek out ways to find out their blood pressure, whether it is their GP or pharmacists or other ways,’’ he said.

“I believe it will be substantially greater than the initial 4000 at the MCG.’’

Warne’s proud dad Keith said “there couldn’t be a better place” to launch the campaign than the MCG.

He would love to see the Boxing Day Test become an annual fundraiser.

“This year of course it’s the heart test – and hopefully we save lives from doing those tests … a different thing each year might be a lovely tribute to honour Shane and something to look forward to.’’

Fellow Aussie Test great Glenn McGrath said: “If you’re going to launch it anywhere it’s got to be at the MCG. It’s Shane’s home ground, he was just so passionate about the ‘G, about Melbourne and Victoria.

“He never shut up about the most liveable city in the world – so it’s the perfect place to do it.’’

“The G was so close to his heart’’

Former Test captain Ricky Ponting said: “He loved being there, he loved being in front of his own fans, he loved bowling with the members at his back.

“It’s pretty apt that it will happen this way.’’

About 1.37 million Australians will experience a cardiovascular disease event between 2020 and 2029, resulting in $62bn in healthcare costs and $79bn in indirect costs.

“If we get prevention right we should be able to reduce that by 25 per cent, in fact 50 per cent is not out of the question and prevention is key,” Prof Nicholls said.

For more details on how to get a heart test, visit shanewarnelegacy.com/pages/heart-test

Originally published as Hopes Warnie’s lasting legacy will save lives at the Boxing Day Test