Brooke and Summer Warne were true to their Dad on Friday, arriving fashionably late and making a big entrance. Along with their grandfather Keith, they were at the Junction Oval in St Kilda to unveil the signage for the Shane Warne Stand. Discussions had started about renaming the grandstand before Warne's death from a heart attack on March 4, two years ago.
His sudden death at just 52 was a seismic moment in world sport. Warne revolutionised leg-spin bowling and is one of cricket's greatest players. The boy from Black Rock, who rocked his blond tips, was a charismatic and often-controversial figure who lived a big life.
"It's typical of the Warnes - we wanted to make a great entrance," Keith said when his grand-daughters arrived for the unveiling. The renaming was done with the support of Fitzroy AFL great Kevin Murray, and the family of GP Newman. The facility was originally named after Newman, and then Murray.
"It's so exciting ...
it's just incredible," said Brooke, the eldest of Warne's three children. "The sun's shining, so Dad clearly doesn't want to miss out. He's here in spirit.
"We're just so grateful. Emotions are high, but it's a really special feeling today." Keith, Brooke and Summer represented Warne's family at the unveiling, which was held before the Victoria-NSW one-game game.
Warne was recruited to the St Kilda Cricket Club and the Junction Oval was where he served much of his apprenticeship in the game before being picked for Victoria. Keith said he hoped W.