The Shane Warne Stand was named in honour of the late, great spin king – and now he has been honoured in a similar way in Sri Lanka.
Warne was beloved around the world and cricket fans of all nations were left reeling when he died in 2022 aged just 52.
Australia is currently touring Sri Lanka and has a firm grip on the first Test at Galle.
However locals are not concerned about the result, instead they have helped create more history at Galle Stadium by honouring their hero Shane Warne.
The Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounds Galle International Stadium, creating a unique backdrop for cricket.
Overlooking the stadium, it offers stunning views and adds historical significance to one of the world’s most picturesque cricket venues.
Jackson Warne takes to social media to thank Sri Lankan locals for the banner dedicated to his late father Shane Warne
Warne, pictured playing at Galle Stadium, was much loved in Sri Lanka and travelled to the nation for humanitarian efforts as well as cricket
The banner was also used in the main grandstand at Galle Stadium during the first Test
And locals have re-branded the forts the ‘Shane Warne Stand’ in a touching banner which they have draped over the historic monument.
It is a gesture that was noticed and appreciated by Warne’s children.
‘Hello everybody, I just wanted to quickly share this photo with you guys,’ Warne’s son Jackson said on Instagram.
‘This is a sign in honour of dad that the Sri Lankans have made for the Australia versus Sri Lanka Test.
‘This is their first Test match in Galle … just wanted to share it with you guys because I think it’s awesome.
‘So thank you to the Sri Lankans that have done this, it looks amazing.’
‘And if you notice as well, the colours are actually red, white and black, which is the colours of the Legacy and also the colours of St Kilda Football Club,’ Jackson added.
‘So shout out to you guys, it looks awesome and dad would be so happy.’
Australia’s captain Steve Smith and Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva with the Warne-Muralitharan trophy
Brooke also shared an image of the feature, calling it ‘amazing’ and his ex-wife Simone heart reacted the post.
The spin-friendly decks in Sri Lanka were a happy hunting ground for Warne, who snared 59 Test wickets at an average of 25.79.
He took his 500th Test wicket in Sri Lanka in 2004, before returning that same year to help locals rebuild after the tragic Boxing Day tsunami.
He was also good friends with his greatest rival Muttiah Muralitharan and regularly visited the nation to brighten the spirits of locals.
‘I just wanted to help and I said to Murali, what can I actually do?’ Warne said in an interview with Channel 9’s 60 Minutes at the time.
‘He said ‘you just being here will actually help because people love you in this country, they love what you do and how you do it’.
‘They love watching you bowl and they think you’re OK.’
The bilateral trophy the two nations play for has been named the Warne–Muralitharan Trophy and skippers Steve Smith and Dhananjaya De Silva unveiled the trophy before the first Test as well.
Cricket Victoria Chair Ross Hepburn, Summer Warne, Keith Warne, Brooke Warne and St Kilda Cricket Club President Paul Ryan, unveil the re-named Shane Warne Stand
The Shane Warne Stand was officially unveiled at his home ground the MCG in 2022 just after his tragic death.
‘We are grateful to be able to acknowledge the legacy of Shane Warne and his contribution to cricket by renaming an MCG stand in his honour,’ Melbourne Cricket Club, ground managers of the MCG, President Michael Happell said.
Australia toured Sri Lanka just months after his death, with the nation dedicating the Test series to the fallen star.
