AUS vs PAK | Twitter reacts as MCG thoughtfully doffs hat to Australia's 350th Test player Shane Warne

‌Pakistan put up their most spirited step forward in the three-match Test series so far on Day 2 of the traditional Boxing Day Test as the Men in Green wrapped up Australia for 308 before cruising past the 100-run mark at the cost of just a solitary wicket. More than 30,000 viewers filled the stands of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to relish the spectacle, taking the total attendance past 100,000 for the encounter that has over decades become the landmark of the Australian summer. However, besides the festivities, the men, women, and children on Wednesday joined hands for a much deeper cause with a heartwarming gesture that resonated with millions around the world.

When the clock struck 3:50 PM at the stadium, the entire stadium stood up simultaneously to take off their floppy hats and doff them in honour of the state's greatest gift to the cricketing world, Shane Warne. The celebrated leg spinner unexpectedly passed away in 2022 from a suspected heart attack leaving the world mourning and celebrating his 708 Test scalps across a career that inspired generations to take up bowling. In the previous year's MCG Test, play between the hosts and South Africa had paused at the same time -- in reference to Warne's cap number -- to pay tribute while the gesture this time around was a nod to the legend's iconic headgear that he sported throughout his career.

The MCG has also had 23 health stations installed across its premises for the duration of the Test to provide heart checkups to the willing and Twitterati joined in to express their gratitude for the contributions of Shane Keith Warne. 

For the legend!

The MCG crowd tips their hat to Shane Warne at 3:50pm 🙏  

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) 

Tribute time

It's 3.50 PM and the crowd are on their feet to take their hats off in a tribute to the great Shane Warne!!! 

— Lubana Warriors (@LovepreetS49) 

Greatest ever

Shane Warne the legend of the game of cricket  

— Shahbaz Ali (@AliBhai13575742) 

A hero

Shane Warne was my cricketing hero. As someone who has been waking up at 5:30 am to catch the Australian summer of cricket since childhood, watching the entire MCG raising their floppy hats chanting Warnie Warnie is so wholesome.  

— Sushant Chaturvedi (@ShawshankOne) 

A lot of fans were heartbroken 

I am a massive cricket fan. Massive Shane Warne fan. Was heartbroken by his early death. But, does anyone else think Fox Cricket are going slightly over the top with the endless tributes? Every 2 minutes we hear the same anecdote. Enough!

— alphabet soup (@nielsenchris93) 

The King of...

Shane Warne "The King" 🙏🏻🏏   

— Akash Marathe (@ruskievityazi) 

Warne forever

Shane warne's legacy forever continues 

— Yash werewolf (@yashsayings) 

LOL

I'm doing Shane warne floppie with my beanie. Goosebumps.

— Viroot (@topgun_mav11) 

Forever

We’ll always remember you, Shane Warne! ❤️

— Prateek (@Prateeeekkkkk) 

Great

Undertook the Shane Warne Health check at the cricket today. Highly recommend everyone gets checked regularly, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other conditions can remain symptomless. Prevention is better than the cure 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 

— Sword of the Morning (@Sword_oftheMorn)