Cricket legend and Sky commentator passed away in March 2022

Shane Warne cricket

Sky Sports is to pay tribute to Shane Warne during the first Test between England and New Zealand.

Warne, one of cricket’s greatest ever players, passed away in March 2022 and will be remembered throughout the first Test by former players and the Sky Sports cricket team - who he commentated alongside in his post-playing career. Mark Taylor, the former Australian captain and Warne’s close friend, will also join Sky Sports’ coverage to discuss Warne’s impact on the game alongside Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, Mel Jones, Ian Ward, Simon Doull and Eoin Morgan. 

In addition, Sky Sports viewers will be shown a two-part documentary entitled Bowled Shane, which tells the story of the ’05 and ‘06/07 Ashes series - during which Warne was one of the main characters and top wicket takers. You can see the trailer below. 

In partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Sky Sports will also be commemorating its former colleague by renaming its main commentary box in the Lord’s Media Centre after the former leg-spinner. The tribute will be unveiled on the morning of 2 June by another of Warne’s former Sky Sports Cricket colleagues Rob Key, now managing director of England Men’s Cricket.

Finally, to celebrate the cricketing great whose playing number was 23, there will be a minute’s applause on 23 overs.

Sky Sports director of cricket Bryan Henderson said “On the pitch, he was simply the greatest, while off it, he was a wonderful and loyal friend. No words can capture his contribution to the game, but his magic on the field as well as in the commentary box and in life itself will never be forgotten. We hope our tributes to him during this Test will remind those who witnessed him in action of his greatness as well as hopefully introduce young cricket fans to a cricketing legend.”

Guy Lavender, MCC chief executive & secretary, added: “Shane Warne was a man who entertained us on the field and was passionate about improving the sport off it. He was an Honorary Life Member of MCC and we were fortunate to benefit from this directly through his work on our World Cricket committee and also as our head coach of London Spirit men’s team last summer. We are hugely supportive of Sky’s commemoration of Shane which I am sure will be a fitting tribute to a true legend of the game.”