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MELBOURNE: The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia is just one sleep away and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) bracing for the storm which is expected to hit it over the next few days. A lot of work is happening in-and-around the MCG to put on a real show but the build-up feels incomplete without the real show-stopper. The man who was the life of these fixtures is missing. It’s been more than two years since the legendary Shane Warne passed away and his absence has been dearly felt since.
There are multiple activations – free health checkups by his foundation – being done to keep his spirit alive at the venue. The venue where he featured in numerous memorable milestones – his 700th Test wicket, only hat-trick of his career – has a stand named after him and also a magnificent statue which has become the most sought-after spot for getting a picture clicked. He is not there but continues to be omnipresent at his “second home”.
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Warne’s close friends and family still feel that void and it only becomes a bit strange to not see that familiar face either behind the microphone or on the field. Doing what only he could and in the manner only he could. They remember him, celebrate him and still miss him. That strange feeling will grip Greg Blewett, his close friend for over three decades, who would be on commentary duties for the Boxing Day Test but will not be bumping into “Warney”.
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“It really does feel strange. Being around the Australian cricket grounds and not bumping into Warney. He was bigger than life, really. So not to see him… it’s still a bit of a shock, really. Two years have really flown by hasn’t it? But he is there in spirit. Of course, he’s got the big stand there named after him now, and he’s got his statue. And, because of how he passed, I think there’s some real awareness now around men’s health, hopefully here in Australia, but also around the world as well. We all miss him,” says Blewett.
The two have been together since their Australian Institute of Sport Cricket Academy days, when they were looking to make it big, and together they played a lot of cricket for Australia across formats. Interestingly, Warne was part of the Playing XI for Blewett’s first and last Test and even first and last ODI. They did numerous tours with the Australian team and in no time, “Warney” became a big part of “Blewy’s” life.
“He was a big part of my life. There’s no doubt about that. He missed a few games through injury with his shoulder. But every other game I played for Australia was with Shane, so I felt very comfortable going to Warney for some advice along the way. Because, as you said, we went back to the Academy. He loved golf, we loved golf and I was always his golf partner. And then ’97 Ashes tour on the bus, I was his card partner as well. So, for some reason, he liked having me as a passive partner with his activities outside of cricket because we just had that relationship from the Academy day,” recalls Blewett.
Throughout his playing days, and beyond, Warne had a different aura. He was the life of any gathering and clearly showed the world how to live life, Warne size! It wasn’t a surprise that everyone would just keep getting drawn to him. Blewett saw that first hand during away tours, social gatherings and a lot of parties. The former Aussie cricketer still remembers that tour of West Indies in 1995 where they spent a lot of time with Brian Lara and forged a very good bond.
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“Shane knew Brian before I did. I think he played against Brian when he got that big score at the SCG. Brian showed me around the Caribbean when I toured there in ’95 and he loved his golf as well. So we got a bit of golf in as well. That was great and then hanging around Warney you got to meet a lot of celebrities outside of cricket as well. He was one of those guys that attracted everyone, lots of people. So it was great to meet some really, you know, important people and influential people outside of cricket. And a lot of that was through Warney,” says Blewett.
On and around Warne, the spotlight was always there. Everyone wanted a piece of him and he didn’t mind the attention. He, in fact, aced playing for the gallery game to perfection right through his life. Was it that easy for the ones around him as well? Not quite! They kept wondering how he managed to do it – enjoy and embrace the attention which came his way.
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“I’d sort of go out with him, and I was just like, I don’t know how he did it. I get the odd person coming up but to live your whole life like that, I just sort of looked at him but he handled it very well. I mean, there were occasions where I think it did get to him from time-to-time, but he, most of the time, really embraced it. And I’m sure, that’s the same with a lot of the current Indian cricketers as well, and former cricketers as well.
“I mean, Sachin Tendulkar and those guys over in India, I just don’t know how they live their lives from day-to-day, to be honest. But yeah, often I go out with Warney. I’d watch him very closely, and he did have a lot of patience, I must admit. But he was very kind. And I think he knew his presence and his standing in the game, and I think he used that to great advantage in terms of, you know, charity work and lots of other stuff he did for people. He was, he was very kind,” recalls Blewett.
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Australia have lost some absolute legends of the game in the last few years. The deaths of Warne, Andrew Symonds and Rod Marsh shook the entire cricket community in the country and then there was a catch-up drive initiated by Ricky Ponting where the former teammates met, raised a toast and promised to be in touch, and look after each other. They now have a Whatsapp group which keeps buzzing from time-to-time and it was quite busy today because of Christmas greetings.
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It wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s the busiest on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test because even after more than 90,000 in the stands, the absence of the biggest showman will be felt again.
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