The explosive Australian left-handed opener David Warner is still in shock from the death of the legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne. Warner could not believe the news when it reached him and assumed it to be a mere rumour.
Warner is currently in Pakistan, playing a Test series for his country. But the 35-year-old opener is determined to get back to Australia as soon as possible to attend the funeral of Shane Warne. Warner is not part of the limited-overs series against Pakistan. Thus, he plans on attending a colourful celebration of the legend’s life on 30th March, after a private family funeral.
Warner recounted idolizing Warne while growing up on Thursday. He also expressed that the news is still difficult to accept. “It really didn't sink in at all and still hasn't. I had his poster on my wall as a kid, I wanted be like Shane and I started my career bowling leg-spin and batting middle-order. We idolised him. He's always stuck by me, and every time I've engaged with him in any way he's always asked me to come for a beer, come to dinner, and wanted to give advice and help. He's going to be dearly missed. I'll be trying to get down there (for the memorial service),” said Warner as quoted by Daily Mail.
Shane Warne was in love with the game throughout his life. Even after he retired, he took up the task of mentoring teams and commentating on matches to be involved with the game. Warner walked down his memory lane to recall the tour of South Africa in 2014, which according to him is his favourite memory of the Legend. Warne joined the Australian team as a spin consultant on the tour. The legend was caught on TV sleeping during Australia’s batting in the third test. Warner was seen beside the legend laughing heartily.
"We didn't know where he was and we were about to leave for the ground on the bus and out rocks Warnie from the doors of the hotel, still buttering his peanut butter toast”, he added.