Sri Lanka held a special place in Shane Warne’s heart, says his brother

By Bipin Dani

The brother of the late Australian cricketing great Shane Warne said that Sri Lanka held a special place in his brother’s heart, being involved in relief efforts soon after the 2004 tsunami that hit the country.

Jason Warne, and his wife Shay, are scheduled to be at the first Test Sri Lanka-Australia Test next week, which is being dedicated to the former Australia leg-spinner who died following a heart attack in March.

Sri Lanka Tourism has planned a special event during the first Test match which starts on Wednesday (29).

The Test series between the two nations is played for the Warne-Muralitharan trophy.

"I know Sri Lanka held a special place in Shane’s heart. Galle was one of his favourite grounds and he was extremely upset by the devastating Tsunami in 2004," Jason said.

"He just wanted to help, in whatever way he could. Shane would be humbled by the way he is being remembered in Sri Lanka and the respect they are showing him.”

"On behalf of our family, I would like to thank Sri Lankan Cricket and Sri Lanka Tourism for planning to honour my brother, Shane, during the first Test starting next week. I was touched to be invited to attend and be a part of the plans they have in place,” he also said.