News

St Kilda could be renamed after Shane Warne

Shane Warne's local club has proposed renaming its ground in honour of his achievements in the game. The board of St Kilda want to rename the Junction Oval - the ground where Warne made his first-class debut in 1991 - to the Shane Warne Ground

Cricinfo staff
03-Jan-2007


Warne has strong ties with St Kilda, making his comeback there in 2004 after a 12-month ban © Getty Images
Shane Warne's local club has proposed renaming its ground in honour of his achievements in the game. The board of St Kilda want to rename the Junction Oval - the ground where Warne made his first-class debut in 1991 - to the Shane Warne Ground.
"It's been the Junction Oval, the St Kilda Cricket Ground, for 151 years - we think a change of name would be appropriate," Ron Laird, St Kilda's president told Australia TV station Channel Nine. "He's one of the cricketers of the century, two of which we've had at St Kilda - Bill Ponsford and Warne."
The board will cast their votes on the decision later this month before presenting the proposal to the relevant authorities. Warne has played local cricket at the club and also made his comeback there, for Victoria 2nd XI in February 2004, after a 12-month anti-doping ban.
He is currently playing in his final match for Australia, in the 5th Test against England at Sydney, after announcing his retirement at the Boxing Day Test last month.