The first Test between England and New Zealand was paused in the 23rd over of the first innings for 23 seconds. Players from both teams gathered around the pitch and the thousands in the stadium stood up to applaud the legendary Shane Warne. 

The Australian leg-spinner died on March 5 in Thailand of heart attack. His public farewell was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 30.

Also read: ‘Doors open’ for England spinner Moeen Ali’s Test return

Warne wore a No 23 jersey. Hence the game was paused in the 23rd over and the crowd applauded for 23 seconds. A tribute video was played with the title name ‘Remembering Shane Warne’. The Sky Sports Commentary box at Lord’s has been renamed the Shane Warne commentary box to honour the spinner’s achievements. 

An announcement was made, asking the players and spectators to honour the ‘cricketing genius’. 

Also read: ‘Doors open’ for England spinner Moeen Ali’s Test return

“On the 4th of March, the game lost a cricket legend and the greatest leg spinner of all time. His legacy transcends cricket and even sports on and off the field in the commentary boxes and as a coach. He will be remembered as a cricketing genius, as a portal icon and as a simply one-off of a kind. His shirt number was 23 and for those able, please be upstanding for 23 seconds of applause for one of the greats of the game, Shane Warne.”

Also read: Who is Matthew Parkinson, England’s first concussion substitute

Former Australia skipper Mark Taylor, who is a commentator for the first Test, as per Sky Sports, said,”  “To have a commentary box named after you at Lord’s, where you tried to beat the old enemy, is a huge honour. It wouldn’t be lost on Warney and certainly won’t be lost on his family.”

Shane Warne  made his international debut in 1992. He played 145 Test matches for Australia, wherein he racked up 708 wickets, the second-highest in Test cricket history. Warne also featured in 194 ODI matches for Australia, taking 293 wickets.