Cricket

Watch: Graham Thorpe and Shane Warne given special tribute during first test between England and New Zealand

A major tribute was paid to two former cricketers, Shane Warne and Graham Thorpe, before the game between England and New Zealand.

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Ben Stokes (Image source- Twitter)

England and New Zealand are currently taking on each other in the first of the three-match Test series at Lord's. A major tribute was paid to two former cricketers, Shane Warne and Graham Thorpe, before the game.

Warne, who died unexpectedly in March, was honoured by the Sky Sports crew before the game began. The Lord's commentary box has been renamed the Shane Warne Commentary Box by Mike Atherton, Rob Key, and Warne's old agent Michael Cohen.

"After Richie Benaud, I don’t think any Australian cricketer had such a warm and special relationship with an English audience. Shane loved playing in England, he loved playing on this ground, he commentated many years in our commentary box. The MCC has given us the honour of naming the commentary box after the great man," said former England captain Atherton.

"Shane was more than a sporting phenomenon to all of us. He was one of the kindest and best human beings we knew. And we all miss him very much. Lord’s was very important to Shane. His portrait painting by Fanny Rush is displayed in the pavilion here, and Shane had some of his greatest cricket successes playing for Australia here at Lord’s," Michael Cohen, Warne’s long-term English-based agent said.

Here is the unveiling of the Shane Warne Commentary Box

On the other hand, Ben Stokes donned the jersey with Graham Thorpe's name and cap number 564 on it at the toss. The former England cricketer is unwell and has been in the hospital for a while. "We're supporting him, his wife, kids and all his family and friends through this tough time. Everybody is aware that Thorpey is very unwell. We all love Thorpey and he means a hell of a lot to us. I've spoken with his wife Amanda. She's been grateful and thankful for the respect and privacy the family have received," Stokes said at the toss.

Here is the video

Cricket News Shane Warne Graham Thorpe