New Shane Warne unveiled at Junction Oval!

 

New Shane Warne stand has been unveiled at Junction Oval, Melbourne!

The Shane Warne Stand at the Junction Oval was officially unveiled on February 18, 2023, as a tribute to one of Australia's greatest cricketers. A Melbourne local and legendary spin bowler, Warne’s name now graces the stand at the iconic Junction Oval, home to Cricket Victoria, in a ceremony attended by his family and cricketing figures.

Warne, who passed away in March 2022, left an indelible mark on cricket with his extraordinary achievements. Over a stellar 15-year career, he took 708 Test wickets, cementing his place among the greatest bowlers in the history of the sport. His mastery of leg-spin revolutionized the game, and his charismatic personality made him beloved by fans worldwide.

Cricket Victoria’s decision to rename the stand in Warne’s honor ensures his legacy lives on in Melbourne, where his cricketing journey began. The venue holds special significance for Warne, and the stand now serves as a lasting tribute to his immense contributions to Australian and global cricket.

Cricket Victoria and the St Kilda Cricket Club have renamed one of the heritage listed grandstands at the Junction Oval in Melbourne after the late Shane Warne in honour of his contribution to Victoria and his club team St Kilda.

The process of renaming the stand, which has stood since 1925, had begun well before Warne's passing in March, 2022. The stand was formerly named after Australian rules footballer Kevin Murray who has supported the change. Murray's name now adorns a stand at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

The MCG named its southern stand after Warne at his state funeral in 2022 but the process to get the heritage listed stand renamed on the western side of Junction Oval in St Kilda, a suburb just south of Melbourne's CBD, took far longer.

Warne's father Keith and his two daughters Summer and Brooke attended the unveiling, which took place before Victoria took on New South Wales in a One-Day Cup match at the Junction Oval. Australia Test captain Pat Cummins, and a host of Australian players including Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, attended the ceremony before playing in the game. Some of Warne's former Australia, Victoria and St Kilda teammates were also in attendance at the unveiling.

The Shane Warne Stand stands as a symbol of his profound impact on the game, offering fans and future generations a place to remember and connect with one of cricket’s true legends.