Shane Warne’s family launch legacy charity at MCG Boxing Day Test

Shane Warne’s beloved Boxing Day Test is set to provide the perfect platform to launch the spin king’s legacy that will hopefully save Aussie lives.

Shane Warne’s beloved Boxing Day Test is set to provide the perfect platform to launch a lifesaving legacy the spin king will leave Australians.

The Herald Sun can reveal Cricket Australia has partnered with Shane Warne Legacy to set up 23 heart testing stations in and around the MCG for the Test.

Sports fans will be offered free, four minute heart tests during the match, in a move backed by his family, friends and medical experts.

Warne’s proud dad Keith said he “still can’t come to terms that he is not here” but thousands of free heart tests at the MCG would ease some of the pain of losing his famous son to a suspected heart attack.

“Unfortunately Shane didn’t get the chance to use the test because if he had, he might have been alerted to his problem and may still be with us,” he said.

The Warne family: Jason, Keith, Jackson, Brooke and Summer. Picture: Mark Stewart

“If we save one life through these tests it will make it all worthwhile.”

The Herald Sun last month revealed Shane Warne Legacy had been formed by the cricket great’s family and close friends as a not for profit organisation to help charities and ensure his name lived on.

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said the initiative “will significantly raise awareness about the importance of heart health”.

“Shane is greatly missed here in Australia and around the world, and we are grateful to the Shane Warne Legacy and the Warne family in partnering with us to help make a positive difference in his honour,” he said.

Fans will be urged to wear a floppy hat to the Test to pay homage to the look Warne made famous at his favourite ground.

They will also be encouraged to tip their hat at 3.50pm, in honour of Warne’s Baggy Green cap number.

Warne’s daughter Summer said her dad would have seen the Boxing Day partnership as “absolutely incredible”.

“We want to prevent this from happening to other people because dad didn’t get help, he didn’t get tested, he didn’t go to doctor’s appointments,” she said.

Summer, Jackson and Brooke Warne with number 23 hats. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It’s so great that people can get help, get tested and prevent families from going through what we went through.”

Shane Warne Legacy chief executive Helen Nolan said: “This partnership holds immense significance for us and the entire Warne Family.

“It provides a special gathering place at the iconic MCG, allowing cricket enthusiasts and the broader public to come together and honour Shane during one of his favourite weeks of the year – on the grounds he often fondly referred to as his ‘office’.”

The tests, by SiSU Health, check blood pressure, resting heart rate and give an estimate of heart age and diabetes risk.

Details of how people around Australia can score free heart tests will be announced on Tuesday.

The Legacy and Cricket Australia will review their partnership after the Test to decide whether to make Boxing Day an annual collaboration.

Originally published as Shane Warne’s family launch legacy charity at MCG Boxing Day Test