Shane Warne Boxing Day tribute 2023: Free heart tests, floppy hat salute for Australian cricket legend

Kieran Francis

Shane Warne Boxing Day tribute 2023: Free heart tests, floppy hat salute for Australian cricket legend image

The life of Shane Warne will once again be celebrated at the Boxing Day Test with free heart tests and a floppy hat tribute to occur during the contest against Pakistan at the MCG.

It's been less than two years since Warne passed away from a suspected heart attack in March 2022, but his legacy will live on long in people's memories.

After a moving tribute to the cricket legend at the 2022 Boxing Day Test, another celebration of Warnie's life will occur in 2023.

Shane Warne floppy hat tribute

In the 2022 Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa, fans paused at 3:50pm on day one - a homage to Warne's Test cap number 350 - to celebrate and applaud the life of the legendary spinner.

This year's Boxing Day Test saw a similar tribute at 3:50pm with fans 'tipping their hat' to the Victorian icon.

Here's to you Warney 👑❤️

📺 Watch Day 2 #AUSvPAK on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports: https://t.co/AWMCJdccGJ
✍ BLOG: https://t.co/Q56uwt5LPt
🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/mMAsdDV3If pic.twitter.com/0ajes0Z9F0

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 27, 2023

Free heart tests at the Boxing Day Test

A free four-minute heart test will be available from days 1-4 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG - which will be December 26 until December 29.

There will be 23 medical-grade health stations positioned in and around the MCG encouraging fans to take the heart test.

The tests will be provided by SiSU Health and will measure blood pressure, resting heart rate, diabetes risk and an estimate of heart age.

Those who show risk factors from the heart test will be encouraged to undergo a Medicare-subsidised Heart Health Check with their GP - if aged 45 or over, or 30-plus for First Nations People.

"We’re delighted to partner with the Shane Warne Legacy for an initiative that will significantly raise awareness about the importance of heart health," Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley said.

"Shane is greatly missed here in Australia and around the world, and we are grateful to the Shane Warne Legacy and the Warne family in partnering with us to help make a positive difference in his honour.

“I encourage everyone to come along to the NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test and take part in the Shane Warne Legacy Heart Tests and to always seek the advice of your medical professional on this and other health issues."

Who are Australia playing this summer of cricket?

Australia are taking on two opponents at home over the summer — Pakistan and West Indies.

Pakistan are booked to play a three-match Test series during December and January, with the visitors losing the first match in Perth by 360 runs. 

Meanwhile, the West Indies will head Down Under to face Australia in eight games across all three formats — Test, ODI and T20 — over January and February.

Full 2023-24 Australian men's summer of cricket schedule

Fixture Format Date Venue
Australia vs. Pakistan Test Dec. 14-18, 2023 Perth Stadium
Australia vs. Pakistan Test Dec. 26-30, 2023 MCG
Australia vs. Pakistan Test Jan. 3-7, 2024 SCG
Australia vs. West Indies Test Jan. 17-21, 2024 Adelaide Oval
Australia vs. West Indies Test Jan. 25-29, 2024 The Gabba
Australia vs. West Indies ODI Feb. 2, 2024 MCG
Australia vs. West Indies ODI Feb. 4, 2024 SCG
Australia vs. West Indies ODI Feb. 6, 2024 Manuka Oval
Australia vs. West Indies T20 Feb. 9, 2024 Bellerive Oval
Australia vs. West Indies T20 Feb. 11, 2024 Adelaide Oval
Australia vs. West Indies T20 Feb. 13, 2024 Perth Stadium

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.