Cricket Victoria and the St Kilda Cricket Club have honoured the late King of Spin Shane Warne by renaming a heritage-listed stand at the Junction Oval after the legendary cricketer.
The grandstand, which dates back to 1925, has been renamed the Shane Warne Stand, recognising Warne’s immense contribution to Victorian cricket and his club team, St Kilda.
Warne, regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in history, began his career at the Junction Oval, making his first-class debut for Victoria in 1991.
The renaming process for the stand had been initiated before his tragic passing in March 2022. Originally named after Australian rules footballer Kevin Murray, the stand’s renaming has received full support from the Murray family. Murray’s name now graces a stand at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy.
The unveiling ceremony was held in front of Warne’s father Keith and his daughters Brooke and Summer, ahead of a One-Day Cup match between Victoria and New South Wales.
A host of cricket stars, including Australian Test captain Pat Cummins and players Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, were present at the event, along with some of Warne’s former teammates from Australia, Victoria, and St Kilda.
In his speech, Keith Warne reflected on Warne’s early cricketing years, spent at St Kilda Cricket Club, which he always held close to his heart.
“Today marks a very special and proud day for the Warne family. To have a stand named the Shane Warne Stand here at the Junction Oval is a wonderful tribute to Shane, who we know would be honoured by this accolade.”
Brooke Warne echoed her grandfather’s sentiments, sharing how special the day was for their family:
“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.”
The stand’s renaming comes as another tribute to Warne’s legacy, following the re-naming of the southern stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in his honour during his state funeral in 2022. Warne is now one of only two cricketers, alongside Sir Donald Bradman, to have stands named after him at multiple first-class venues in Australia.
The Junction Oval also features a new Shane Warne exhibition, showcasing memorabilia from his illustrious career. Many of the items on display were provided by Warne’s family, and the exhibition is open to the public.
As Keith Warne poignantly remarked,
“Although Shane can’t be here physically, I have no doubt that he will be here spiritually, humbly acknowledging the honour at the oval where his cricketing journey began.”
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