Son Jackson was ‘proud’ of Shane Warne despite complex relationship

Jackson Warne recently said he wished he wasn’t the son of cricket icon Shane, but their complex relationship was much more than that.

Jackson Warne will forever be “proud” of his father Shane.

The 23-year-old and his sisters, Summer and Brooke, are grieving their dad, an Aussie cricket icon that has left the nation in mourning.

Warne died on Saturday morning of a suspected heart attack. He was rushed to hospital in Thailand but was announced dead on arrival.

The sporting world has joined the family, including ex-wife Simone Callahan, his brother Jason and his parents Keith and Bridget, in honouring the legacy the 52-year-old leaves behind.

Jackson has not spoken publicly since news of Shane’s death first emerged, but a recent interview shows everything you need to know about the close, complex relationship he had with his father.

Jackson has lived with his father in Melbourne for the past four years and the pair have travelled around the world together. They have also lived in the UK together during the most recent Ashes series overseas where Warne was an expert commentator for Sky Sports. They have played international poker tournaments together and have been spotted side by side at a stack of ritzy gala events.

It’s why the cricketer said recently their relationship “is like we’re best mates”.

However, Jackson said during the filming of Channel 7’s SAS: Australia last summer he at times wished “that I wasn’t Shane Warne’s son”.

“I want him (Shane) to be really proud of me,” he said.

Shane Warne, Jackson Warne, World Poker Tournament Cocktail Party, The Squirrel Socials, Andrew Meadowcroft.

SAS Australia profile on Jackson Warne.

“It’s been pretty frustrating my whole life. Whenever I walk into a room or meet someone it’s always, ‘Oh that’s Shane Warne’s son Jackson’. It’s never, ‘it’s Jackson’. I just want to be Jackson.”

But their relationship is so much more than a stereotypical journey of a son trying to make peace with living in the shadow of his father.

Last year Jackson told Men’s Health Australia he was “lucky” to be the son of the national treasure known as the “Spin King”.

“I only see Dad as Dad. I can’t compare him to other parents,” he said in August.

“I can always remember just smiling. So, I think he did a great job. And I’m proud of him.”

He said life in his dad’s shadow is something he has wrestled with — but he is now comfortable with the dynamic, happy even.

“You’ll only feel like you’re in a shadow if you choose to feel like you’re in a shadow,” he said.

“So, for me, all I had to do to switch that mindset was to realise that I didn’t choose who my dad was, and what he did was bloody awesome.”

He went on to say: “I’m in a shadow, but the shadow is really nice. The shadow is quite warm. And you can have a lot of fun in the shadow. I’m very happy. I’m okay.”

The record-breaking leg-spinner, who captured a staggering 708 test wickets, was also just as happy at seeing his son so happy.

That defines their relationship.

Shane and Jackson Warne with Ed Sheeran. Pic: Instagram

He has repeatedly spoken about how proud he is of his son, including for his harrowing appearance on the Channel 7 reality TV show.

“I’m so glad everyone got to see what a wonderful, caring and thoughtful young man Jackson is,” he posted on Instagram at the time.

“Love you so much.”

Warne also went public to share his pride in seeing his son’s recent body transformation make headlines after modelling photos were posted to his Instagram.

He wrote “love this” and “proud” in the comments of one photo.

Warne was proud right to the end.

The Ashes icon, World Cup winner and cricket hall of fame inductee had come a long way as a father. He had previously said his family life was second to his sporting career. He missed the births of Jackson and eldest daughter Brooke because he was on tour.

He has said repeatedly the biggest concern he has about his life playing out in public is the potential it had to embarrass or hurt his children.

They clearly don’t feel that way about the father he eventually grew to become.

“We talk all the time. The communication is really important between my three children and me,” he said in the Men’s Health Australia feature.

“They’ve all got their own lives, and I’m there. I’ve got a great relationship with all three, and I’m thankful for that.”

He said he has learned that parents should not over-protect their children and said children must be free to “get out in the big bad world”. He said he would be there for them every time his children fall down.

“My kids are going to make some mistakes,” he said.

“But they know I’ll be here for them every single time.”