The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) remains synonymous with Shane Warne, the man who often called the ground his “office.” On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Australia and India, Warne’s son, Jackson Warne, shared deeply personal reflections on his father’s enduring presence and the mission to save lives through the Shane Warne Legacy.
The “3:50 PM” Tradition Explained
Fans at the MCG and viewers worldwide will once again participate in a synchronized tribute that has become a staple of the Boxing Day Test:
- The Time: 3:50 PM (AEDT) each day.
- The Meaning: The timing mirrors 350, Shane Warne’s Australian Test cap number.
- The Gesture: Fans and legends are encouraged to wear and “tip their floppy hats”—the wide-brimmed headwear Warne famously preferred over the traditional baggy green.
Jackson Warne: “I Just Wanted to Hug Him”
Speaking at the MCG, Jackson Warne discussed the surreal experience of seeing his father’s likeness preserved at the ground.
- The Hologram: Jackson described a visit to the MCG Museum’s Shane Warne exhibit, which features a hyper-realistic hologram of the leg-spinner. “It is so realistic that the first time I saw it… I was like whoa, I just wanted to go up there and hug him,” he shared.
- Grief & Signs: Jackson revealed he often speaks to his father while driving and constantly sees the number 23 (Warne’s ODI shirt number) on licence plates and table numbers. “I see the number and I feel him… It has helped me so much.”
A Mission Beyond Cricket: Heart Health
The tribute has evolved from a moment of silence into a massive public health initiative.
- Free Testing: The Shane Warne Legacy has set up 52 medical-grade health stations around the MCG (representing the age at which Warne passed away).
- Impact: Fans can take a free 4-minute “Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test” to check blood pressure, heart rate, and BMI.
- Saving Lives: According to the foundation, nearly 26% of people who have taken the test believe it saved their lives by identifying undiagnosed cardiovascular risks.
Warne’s Milestone MCG Moments
The MCG was the backdrop for Warne’s greatest career highlights, making it the natural home for his legacy:
- 1994: His iconic Ashes hat-trick against England.
- 2006: Taking his 700th Test wicket (Andrew Strauss) in front of a record Boxing Day crowd.
- 2022: The renaming of the Great Southern Stand to the Shane Warne Stand.