Shane Warne’s family requests change to MCG honour

Shane Warne’s family have asked for a subtle but important change to a significant honour set to be given to the late Spin King.

Shane Warne’s family has reportedly requested the MCG’s Great Southern Stand be renamed the Shane Warne Stand in his honour.

Shortly after his sudden death in Thailand earlier this month, the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) and the Victorian government quickly announced the Great Southern Stand would be called the S.K. Warne Stand in honour of the Australian cricket legend.

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“I’ve just informed the Warne family that the government will rename the Great Southern Stand at the MCG — the place he took his hat trick and 700th wicket — to honour Shane and his contribution to the game,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews posted on social media in the days after his death.

“The S.K. Warne Stand will be a permanent tribute to an amazing Victorian.”

Cricket fanatics are well aware Warne’s initials S.K.W. stand for his full name Shane Keith Warne, but his family have reportedly asked for the grandstand to be instead simply called the Shane Warne Stand.

According to Seven News reporter Tom Browne, Warne’s family has informed the MCC of the iconic leg spinner’s preferred option.

Shane Warne’s family wants the MCG’s Great Southern Stand to be called the Shane Warne Stand. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

“My understanding is that it will be called the Shane Warne stand,” Browne said.

“I spoke to a senior government source who emphasised the final decision will be down to the Warne family.”

The Great Southern Stand is the MCG’s largest grandstand and holds about 45,000 people, which is nearly half of the stadium’s 100,000 capacity.

Warne was previously immortalised in a bronze statue of him on the walkway outside the MCG, which captures him midway through his bowling action. The statue was erected in 2011.

The statue has become a makeshift shrine to Warne since his death, with VB beer cans, packets of cigarettes, meat pies and flowers left in front of it at the MCG.

Warne’s ex-wife Simone Callahan and his three children — Jackson, Brooke and Summer — visited the statue this week to pay tribute to the late Spin King.

On her Instagram account, Summer Warne, 20, posted an image of the family at the monument with the caption “always here with us dad”.

Brooke, Warne, Jackson Warne, Simone Callahan and Summer Warne visit the Shane Warne statue at the MCG. Photo: Instagram.

Warne after taking his 700th Test wicket at the MCG. Photo: Stuart/Mcevoy.

She followed that up with an image of her father proudly standing beside the statue. That picture was captioned with a love heart emoji.

Brooke Warne, 24, also shared the picture to her Instagram account.

“We are so grateful for everyone’s support, the messages and love we have received is so special and touching, everyone support around our Dad’s statue is beyond heartwarming thank you,” she wrote.

“We are so proud of our Dad,” she added.

The family has accepted the offer of a state funeral, which will be held at the MCG on March 30.

Warne will be farewelled by family and friends at a private funeral in the coming days.

Originally published as Shane Warne’s family requests change to MCG honour