Pakistan and Australia Test Resumes, Minute’s Silence for Shane Warne, Players Stood in Respect
Cricket legend Shane Warne, one of the best legspinners of Australia passed away at 52 due to a heart attack in Thailand on Friday. The Australian and Pakistan teams stood in minute’s silence with respect, to the legendary spinner Shane Warne on Saturday.
As the play resumed in the first test in Rawalpindi, a handful of early-morning spectators stood in respect. Australia and Pakistan teams are playing for the first time since 1998, having declined to tour previously because of security issues.
“It’s a sad way to start the day,” the television commentator said as players wore black armbands to pay homage to Warne.
Warne was widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time — a larger-than-life character whose tally of 708 Test wickets has been surpassed only by fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
His death is a double blow for Australia after another cricketing great, Rod Marsh, also died on Friday after suffering a heart attack.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins admitted the team was shaken.
“Yeah, these are really tough times with, you know, both Rod and Shane gone,” he told the host broadcaster ahead of the day’s play.
“I just encourage everyone to talk about it.” Pat Cummins said. He further confirmed that Warne was popular around the world.
“You know, his showmanship and all those things that he brought to Australian cricket are probably my longer-lasting memories.
“I think playing across the world, you realize just it wasn’t only Aussies that felt that it was … in all corners.”
