Shane Warne memorial: Jason Warne’s incredible letter to his brother
Jason Warne has shared a hand-written letter he sent to his brother Shane 30 years ago, which showed just how proud he was of the Spin King’s rise.
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Jason Warne delivered an emotional farewell to his brother Shane on Wednesday night, detailing their loving relationship growing up as sports-mad brothers.
But it wasn’t just on the cricket pitch where the two competitive youngsters would square off.
Jason recalled some heated nights playing board games and the cleaning up that would follow.
“Our competitiveness and stubbornness went to another level when we played Monopoly,” he told the MCG crowd.
“I’ve lost count of the amount of times the board got upended when one of us knew we couldn’t win.”
On a night full of heartfelt moments, Jason also shared a hand-written letter he sent to Shane 30 years ago, which left viewers stunned.
The letter, which was sent in 1992, came just after Shane had destroyed the West Indies during an Australian Tour.
The young leg spinner’s star was rising fast.
“Shane, so I hear you’re in love. Tell me about Simone,” Jason wrote in the letter.
“Congratulations on taking seven against the Windies in Melbourne. Me and Finn were going wild telling everyone you were my brother.
“Can’t tell you how proud of you I was when I first saw the teletext. Well done, keep it up.
“Loads of hard work at the nets could set you up for the rest of your life. Don’t let the chance slip by enjoying the limelight and resting on your laurels.
“That comes in 10 years time when you have re-written all the record books. Now is the time to put everything, and I mean everything, into it and make it work for you.
“So, come on, make some more sacrifices and give people the opportunity in 20 years’ time to say remember Shane Warne. We’ll never get another leggie like him. He was the best spinner Australia has ever had.”
Jason was right – we will never have another leggie like him.
JASON WARNE - BROTHER
The impact my brother had during his remarkable life, it’s always been really difficult to comprehend. Although the last few weeks and the tributes and tonight has brought it all into sharp focus.
Shane has connected with us all in many ways. Whether it being entertained by his amazing exploits on the cricket ground, through the time he spent and putting a smile on the face of many children, or the times he’s met you in person, made you feel special, the tributes that... The tributes that have flowed over the past few weeks have been extremely heartfelt. It’s highlighted his outstanding career, his personal traits, and we thank you for those. We will miss the many ways that Shane has touched our lives.
We wouldn’t actually be here, though, if it wasn’t for a man called David Beck.
When Dave and Shane were 13 years old, Shane slipped when jumping off the pier at Moon Bay and knocked himself out. Dave jumped in the water and saved his life. You gave us an extra 39 years with Shane and gave the world so much entertainment.
As you’ve heard, Shane was one of the most competitive people you’ll ever meet. Not just as an international cricketer, but in every facet of his life.
As kids, and throughout our lives, we both loved sport and his cuppetitive nature was on full display right from the start.
For Shane and I everything was a competition. Our competitiveness and stubbornness went to another level when we played Monopoly. I’ve lost count of the amount of times the board got upended when one of us knew we couldn’t win.
Like all big brothers, though, he also saw it as his job to torment me. His go-to method were extremely long sessions of the typewriter, pinning me down with his knees. I hated it but he laughed so much. But I got my revenge over the years. He never quite reach 6 foot tall. Always claimed it but he just didn’t. Every time he said I’m 183, I would say you’re 182. I knew all his triggers. Used to great joy on putting him on tilt.
I remember catching the train in here with Shane back in 1982 as mentioned earlier when AB and tommo had the famous last stand and sitting just behind us here, and it’s hard to get my head around the fact that was the start of his association with this amazing ground. And to know that the stand is now going to be renamed in his honour is just amazing.
He was the best brother I could have asked for, not just because he got us on to the side of the stage of Pearl Jam, but it was because he was minate and he made me a better -- my mate and made me a better person. We pushed each other but for the right reasons. The bonds created through sport last a lifetime.
The bond of brothers lasts a lifetime. I’m very into have shared both of these bonds -- fortunate to have shared both of these bonds with him.
He will leave a massive hole in my life that will never be filled. I will always love him and always miss my big brother.
KEITH WARNE — SHANE’S FATHER
On behalf of the Warne family, I’d like to convey our thanks and express our immense gratitude to the many people and authorities who were involved in Shane’s repatriation to Australia and for this state funeral.
Friday March 4, 2022, darkest day in our family’s life. It was a day that our son, Shane Keith Warne, was tragically and suddenly taken from us.
Our family lost a loved son, a loving brother to Jason and a devoted father to Brooke, Jackson and Summer. And the world lost a much-loved cricketing legend whose feats on and off the cricket field will go down in history for all time.
Looking forward to a future without Shane is inconceivable.
We do take comfort in knowing that Shane packed more in his life of 52 years, five months and 19 days than most people would in two lifetimes.
Shane loved life and lived for sport. When he was younger, our roles as parents were always centred around getting him to training and wherever he was playing, whether it was playing athletics, basketball, tennis, football or cricket.
We marveled at his hand eye coordination and his natural talent was tempering his will to win at any cost. At the same time not wanting to blunt the incredible compet spirit he’s become so well known for.
Looking back on that send-off that Shane gave to Andrew Hudson in Johannesburg in 1994, it may not have been his finest moment but he had certainly retained the fiery competitiveness.
In his early days, Shane honed his sport and love of outwitting an opponent with his poor unsuspecting younger brother, Jason.
For instance, he would tell Jason how quick he was and as he was so much quicker than Shane, why doesn’t he run up to the local shop and get him a chocolate bar and Coke. You’re so fast, Shane would say. Young Jason fell for it every time and off to the shop he would go.
It felt like no time at all before we went from watching Shane play local grades of cricket with his mates, to watching him nervously walk out on to the SCG for his test debut in 1993. As he did, the words “Congratulations Shane Warne on being the 350th Australian test cricketer” lit up on the big screen.
It then dawned on me that in over 100 years of Australian cricket, there’s only ever 350 cricketers to achieve that honour. How proud we were. It wasn’t sunny but a few pairs of sunglasses might have come out. From there it felt like one outstanding achievement after another. Among them, the claiming of his one and only hat-trick in 1994 and getting his 700th wicket in 2006, both here at his beloved ‘G. They were two of his all-time favourites, as I’m sure they are for many of you here tonight.
What Shane achieved was unimaginable but for his mother and I it was the things Shane did and the things he did away from the cricket field we will hold up as his finest achievements. He was a doting father who loved and adored his children. He was a loving and caring son and brother. He was a sports hero who happily handed out autographs and stood for photos, sometimes for hours on end. Whether you were a prince or pauper he’d give you the same undivided attention, warmth and respect. He was a person that would make everybody feel very special.
What the world didn’t always see was that Shane spent a lot of his time helping kids, especially sick and underprivileged kids. It was always about putting smiles back on young people’s faces. Kids loved him and he loved kids.
This was never more evident than when he visited Kinglake in Victoria after many lives were lost and the town had been devastated by bushfires back in February 2009.
Shane appreciated how horrific the situation was. He was just hoping his visit would help lift the community’s spirit.
On one of many occasions he and his footballer cricket mates took a load of sports equipment to the region and spent the day playing all sorts of sports with the children and the families, brightening up their lives just a little bit in those dark days.
This was Shane, leading with infectious energy, his giving spirit and that beaming smile, he somehow could always manage to make someone’s day that little bit better, even in the most dire of times.
I remember I picked Shane up at Melbourne Airport when he arrived home after an extensive overseas test series. He asked me, “What’s been happening, Dad?” As soon as I mentioned a little boy who had terminal cancer had been hanging on, hoping to meet Shane, he had me contact the father and see if it was OK for him to pop in and say hello.
We got the OK and went directly to the boy’s home. Shane stayed until the lad was starting to fall asleep which was a good two hours later. Then I drove Shane home to see his own children.
This is who he was.
This summed up Shane’s character as a man who took great responsibility in using his profile and privilege to bring good into the lives of people less fortunate than himself.
We are grateful the world loved our son as we did, and are thankful that he touched so many lives in so many ways. Of course people will remember Shane in their own way but for us it will be his unconditional love for family and friends, his generosity and loyalty which knew no bounds, and a joy he brought to so many people along the way, who will forever bring us comfort.
In Shane’s typical humble manner, Shane the Aussie boy from Black Rock said of himself, “I smoked, I drank, and I played a little cricket.”
Mate, your mother and I can’t imagine a life without you. You have been taken too soon and our hearts are broken. Thank you for all you did for us, and for being such a loving and caring son.
Rest in peace, mate. Love you, Mum and Dad.
MICHAEL CLARKE
Thank you. That’s all I can say. Thank you for everything, mate. The way you looked after me. The way you treated me and I first came into that Australian team. I was such a baby. You took me under your wing. You looked after me like a little brother.
You taught me so much about the gim of cricket. You taught me more than that. The highs and lows of life and how sport is so similar to life.
I was asked the other day how do you, how do you say goodbye? And I don’t think I ever can. But I can say I’ll see you later.
KYLIE MINOGUE
I wanted to share a little story about Shane and his parents, Bridget and Keith, turning up to my parent’s house right here in Melbourne for a barbecue one day and opening the door. There they are and Shane with his blue eyes and big cheeky smile, had it, had that star quality and charisma that the world got to know and love, but it was exactly the same on the front door step as it was out in the cricket field.
So, yeah, he had it and took it everywhere he went and how lucky we were to get to know that. That light will continue to burn bright in our memories forever more and we’ll miss you, Warnie. Vale, Warnie.
HUGH JACKMAN
Today we mourn not only in Australia but all over the world an incredible life and achievements of Shane Warne. But we also celebrate because Warnie, yes, one of the greatest cricketers to ever play the game, somehow as a human being reminded us to make the most of every single second.
Man, he sucked the marrow out of life. He was a great A great teammate. He loved -- mate. A great teammate. He loved his friends and family. He loved life. There was no-one like you, Warnie and never will be again. We will miss you.
ELTON JOHN
Sir Elton John dedicated and performed his anthem Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me for Shane Warne at the cricket legend’s memorial service on Wednesday night.
Sir Elton, in the US on tour, dedicated the song “in memory of one of the greatest sportsmen ever, certainly one of the most amazing cricketers of all time.
“It’s a sad day, but it’s not in some other ways, because his legacy lives on, and he will live on for future generations,” Sir Elton said.
He performed the song, with his full band, and pictures of Warne, his family and friends, projected on a giant video screen behind him.
Sir Elton dedicated the performance to Warne’s children Jackson, Summer and Brooke, adding: “God bless you, Shane, God bless your family.”
Sir Elton was one of four pop superstars _ including Chris Martin, of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Robbie Williams _ scheduled to perform at the event.
Pop princess Kylie Minogue also sent a video tribute to Warne as a superstar who never lost touch with his roots.
“Shane, with his blue eyes and big cheeky smile, had that star quality and charisma that the word got to know and love,” Minogue said. “That light will continue to burn bright in our memories. We’ll miss you Warnie.”
Hollywood star Hugh Jackman said Warne “reminded us to make the most of every single second … and suck the marrow out of life.”
Nasser Hussain's Warnie story = classic SK. 👑 pic.twitter.com/gGp1SUpZ0k
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) March 30, 2022
DARREN BERRY
How do I encapsulate 35 years of loyal friendship? So many big moments on the field but the little moments off the field I’ll cherish most of all.
Sitting on the team bus singing Aussie Crawl or Springsteen, telling you to slow down in our cars, buying cigarettes so you could capitalise at Duty Free, our love and passion for the St Kilda Footy Club and the thousands of text messages we exchanged. Being alongside you as the inaugural winners of the IPL.
So many fond memories, mate. My heart is broken. My soul is crushed. I miss you, mate. And I love you
NASSER HUSSAIN
I had no delight in playing against Shane Warne. The word I should have used was nightmare. He was the king bowler, the great bowler but the great sledger. He seemed to wait for me to come out.
There was one of those triangular finals in 1999. We were thrilled to be in a triangular finals in Australia. We were usually in the hotel.
He had been sledging me all day and he brought himself onto bowl because AB had told him years earlier if you’re struggling pick a fight with someone pick one withme.
I sledged him for some apparent reason and I’ve said something like ‘enjoy your last game as captain. Steve Waugh is back next game. You’re never going to captain Australia again’ which at the time seemed a really good thing to do.
“Because we needed 40 off 10 overs with seven wickets in hand. I’ll be surprised if you haven’t got the footage of me running down the pitch, very next delivery after that slog sweep.
hat shot doesn’t get any better 23 years later. Stumped Gilchrist, bowled Warne. Look at the celebration. Drift in. I’m in a different postcode to that ball. Look at the celebration. How often We have we seen that? We lost by 10 runs and Bumble didn’t speak to me for a month.
JAMES PACKER (READ BY EDDIE MCGUIRE), SAID:
“The news of Shane Warne’s passing has shocked and confounded us all. I’m deeply saddened and still coming to terms with it.
My family was blessed to have Shane in our lives. He brought us so much warmth, happiness and joy.
Before I got to know Shane he was a dear friend of my father, Kerry, or KP as Shane called him.
He adored him and loved him as a person and Shane adored Dad.
They both loved cricket, they loved to smoke and a bet as well. For Dad, one of his most touching moments was when Shane presented him with his ownbugy green cap, there’s no greater honour in Australian cricket.
Friendship doesn’t get better than that. While Shane will be remembered for his exploits, I’ll remember him as a hero, a friend, a man who was brilliant, vulnerable, lovely and fiercely loyal.
I could sneak a smoke with him, listen to music and share stories, our successes and failures.
He was wickedly funny, cheerful and fearless, he was so very human. I’ll miss those hugs forever.
Shane brightened the world and brought joy to so many.
Today we celebrate his life and ponder why the universe took him from us so soon.
My deepest condolences to the Warne family.
Rest in peace, my friend. We have lost your sunshine way too soon.”
SAM NEWMAN
The greatest fun I had playing golf with him was arguing about handicaps before we even hit off. He said to me once, he said we’re playing off the same mark. I said, “No, we’re not. You’re about six handicap lower than me. Parred St Andrews, had a hole in one add Augusta.”
He said, “You used to play off two. “ I said, “Yes, in 1985 I did.” This was a couple of years ago. We fought. It was one of the great joys of playing with him. He would be gobsmacked at this. I tell you what, I’m finding it hard to get over, the United Nations are a part of this.
I thought that is extraordinary. He’s actually infiltrated the United Nations and they are here. That is staggering.
I hope someone has impounded his phone so no-one can see what was on it. We were treated to a cavalcade of incredible pictures and a round of golf in 4.5 hours.
Your eyes would be out like organ stock. Extraordinary. For an old pensioner like me, I tell you what, it was heart-wrenching.
SACHIN TENDULKAR
Warnie, I remember was always extremely competitive and everything possible to disturb opposition, to dismiss them, he would do. When someone batted well he was the first one to walk up to you and congratulate. That is how our friendship and respect for each other was. Warnie, my friend, I will miss you. I will miss you big time. You will continue to live in my heart. May your soul rest in peace.
IAN BOTHAM
Warnie, there was only ever going to be one Shane Warne. You were magnificent, on or off the field. A magnificent advert for the gim of cricket. You will never be replaced, mate. Rest in peace.
Originally published as Shane Warne memorial: Jason Warne’s incredible letter to his brother
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