The Australian team will be just like most fans sitting in the stands at the MCG on Monday when they honour a sporting icon who inspired them to love the game.Fox Cricket has prepared a stirring tribute video that will be played on the big screens when the players, all wearing white floppy hats, are lined up on the field before play to pay tribute to one of the most larger than life characters Australia has known.Warne’s son Jackson will join Fox Cricket’s coverage during the day for what the network is calling ‘The Shane Warne Boxing Day Test’, in memory of their beloved commentator.Lyon, an all-time Test great in his own right with more than 450 Test wickets, has paid tribute to the cricketer he looked up to ahead of a special day at the MCG.“I’ve got the nickname of the GOAT, which is a bit ridiculous,” Lyon said.“That’s Shane. He is the greatest.“It’s going to be a very emotional Test for everyone. It’s going to be very special that this is going to be the first Test since his passing at his home ground.“For us to be out in the middle with everyone else who is honouring Shane Warne, it’s going to be special.”Warne’s cap number 350 will be emblazoned on the MCG outfield for the duration of the Test and at 3.50pm on Boxing Day Warne’s image will appear on the big screen.During the Test, the Warne highlight reels will roll.Lyon admits he never quite got used to the thrill of turning up to a Test match and bumping into Warne out in the middle before play.After play finished on day four of the first Test of the 2019 Ashes tour in England, Warne asked to meet Lyon outside the dressing rooms.With Australia needing to take 10 wickets on the last day to take a 1-0 victory, Warne spoke to Lyon about how he must realise he had the power as the spinner in the side to “control the tempo” of the game and make England play on his terms.The next day Lyon took six wickets in a resounding victory which set the platform for Australia to reclaim the Ashes for the first time in two decades.“When you think back at it now, it’s absolutely incredible,” Lyon said.“Mind blowing stuff.”For Lyon, Warne made spin bowling cool, and the Australian star is committed to continuing his hero’s legacy of inspiring a new generation of young Aussie kids to give it a tweak.“It’s all about trying to keep the legacy alive I guess,” Lyon said.“I think it’s a massive role and massive opportunity for myself to keep the spin culture alive and well inside Australian cricket.“Warnie was obviously the biggest (influence) you could ever imagine. Especially as a young kid growing up in Australia, all I wanted to do was be like Shane Warne.“If I can keep that dream going for a lot of kids, boys and girls out there in Australian cricket, then I’m doing my role.”Warne’s son Jackson, who spoke so brilliantly at the public funeral at the MCG earlier this year, will appear alongside his father’s old commentary sparring partners during the tea break on Fox Cricket.
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