The Melbourne Cricket Club has announced the launch of a new exhibition celebrating the career and legacy of Shane Warne, to be opened at the MCG next week.
The exhibition – WARNE: Treasures of a Legend – will showcase 48 of Warne's most prized personal items and memorabilia from his career. It will open in the Australia Sports Museum at the MCG on Tuesday, December 16 and will run through until August 9, 2026.
Among the items on display will be the ball with which Warne took his first Ashes wicket in 1993, when he famously bowled Mike Gatting with the first ball he ever bowled in an Ashes series. The stump from the match which Warne took the first Ashes hat-trick in 90 years will also be available to view. In the second Test of the 1994 series at the MCG, Warne trapped Phil Defreitas lbw, followed by Darren Gough caught-behind before completing the hat-trick with leg break off which Devon Malcolm was caught at short-leg.
Other notable items include Warne's floppy white hat from his final Test at the MCG in 2006, 'the dancing stump from the fifth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 1997, his 1999 World Cup winners medal, and the ball with which he took 1,000th international wicket.
The items on display offer an insight into Warne both as a player and a person. Warne's father, Keith Warne and his executors agreed that the MCG, where Warne played state cricket for Victoria throughout his career and where a stand is named after him, would be where Warne would have wanted his memorabilia showcased. “We are delighted that the MCC Foundation has acquired Shane's collection and that it will be exhibited in the Australian Sports Museum at his beloved MCG,” said Keith Warne.
“Shane loved the ‘G. It was his cricket playground. He loved playing here and always enjoyed the crowd interaction. Knowing Shane's cricket collection will be preserved for cricket lovers to enjoy for generations to come made our decision to part with much of the collection a lot easier.”
Melbourne Cricket Club CEO, Stuart Fox, said: “When you think of the ‘G, it’s hard not to think of Warnie. His name adorns our largest stand, and his statue, sitting proudly outside Gate 2, remains the fan favourite for a meeting point and selfie stop. He was the quintessential Victorian and loved this stadium like no other, so we’re proud to continue honouring his legacy here in the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG.”
The collection will be available to view during key summer fixtures at the ground, including all five days of the Boxing Day Ashes Test match. It will also be open during Melbourne Stars' BBL season opener on December 18.
Tickets for the exhibition are available to book here: https://australiansportsmuseum.org.au/warne
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