Shane Warne honoured with stand named after him at Melbourne's Junction Oval

Cricket Victoria and St Kilda Cricket Club have renamed a heritage-listed grandstand at Melbourne's Junction Oval in honor of the late cricketer Shane Warne.

This grandstand, previously named after footballer Kevin Murray, recognizes Warne's contributions to cricket at both state and club levels.

Cricket Victoria announced the renaming on X, stating, "A lasting tribute to the King of Spin Cricket Victoria and @StKildaCricket today unveiled the Shane Warne Stand at Junction Oval alongside special guests in Shane's daughters Summer and Brooke, and his father Keith. Forever a Victorian and Australian sporting icon."



The process of renaming the stand began before Warne's death in March 2022. Kevin Murray's name has now been placed on a stand at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy, Melbourne.

The unveiling ceremony, held before Victoria's match against New South Wales in the One Day Cup, included Warne's father Keith and daughters Summer and Brooke. Cricket Victoria also opened a Shane Warne exhibition at the stadium, displaying memorabilia from Warne's career.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

"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 to be chosen for such an accolade," Keith Warne said. "In February 1991 he made his first-class debut playing for Victoria against Western Australia here at the Junction Oval. Some of Shane's most enjoyable early cricketing years were whilst playing with his beloved St Kilda, especially when the matches were played here at the Junction Oval. As proud as Shane would be to know a stand at the Junction Oval bares his name, he would also be thrilled to know that he will now be forever linked with St Kilda Cricket Club and the Junction Oval. On behalf of her family, I'd like to thank Cricket Victoria and St Kilda Cricket Club for their support in honouring Shane with such a wonderful tribute, further enhancing Shane's incredible legacy."

Shane Warne, who passed away on March 4, 2022, was renowned for revolutionizing leg-spin bowling. He was the first bowler to take 700 Test wickets, ending his career with 708 Test wickets and 293 in One-Day Internationals. He captained Australia in 11 One-Day Internationals, winning ten matches. Warne's legacy continues to influence the cricket world.