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Watch: When ‘King’ Warne was brought on the field to calm an unruly MCG crowd in 1999 ODI

by Wisden Staff March 4, 2023 - 1:58pm 2 minute read

Proud Victorian Shane Warne was the unofficial ‘King’ of the MCG in more ways than one.

Warne often enjoyed sporting success on his home ground, averaging less than 23 at the venue in Test cricket taking three five-fors across 11 Tests at the MCG. Soon after his death a year ago today, the Great Southern Stand was renamed as the Shane Warne Stand to commemorate the life of a Victorian hero.

Few moments exemplify the regard Warne was held in by local fans than when he was brought onto the field during a 1999 ODI between Australia and England to calm an unruly crowd that threaten to disrupt the game.

In an extremely one-sided game that saw Australia eventually win by nine wickets, fans in the Great Southern Stand prompted a halt in play by throwing a combination of beer bottles and golf balls onto the field of play. Play was stopped for a few minutes as the thrown objects were threatening the safety of the England fielders. In a bid to calm the crowds, Warne, who was part of the Australia side that day, was brought onto the field in a hope to dissuade the fans from continuing to disrupt the ODI.

Warne, making light of the moment, briefly put on one of the batters’ helmets to draw laughter from the crowd before calmly asking them to stop throwing objects onto the pitch. The Great Southern Stand listened to Warne’s request and so the game resumed so Australia could complete a routine win.

You can watch the moment below: