Vale Shane Keith Warne

“Shocking news re Shane Warne”, that’s how I found out.  A text message from my sister in the UK.  I was still bleary-eyed on that Saturday morning as I frantically googled a media site to discover the news of Shane’s tragic demise in Thailand.  It jolted me physically.  As had the deaths of Prince, David Bowie, George Michael, Freddie Mercury.  That visceral feeling of loss, so sudden, so unexpected.  I did not know these humans personally, but somehow I felt a deep connection with them.  Reflecting on why I was so touched, I recognised personality traits that I admired: Immense talent, charisma, confidence, diversity, unashamedly brash.  Flawed personalities that had mesmerised an adoring world-wide public.  

Shane and I also shared a birthday!  Not the same year, he was younger, but the same month and date.   

I watched the re-run of Shane’s interview with Leigh Sales on tv last week.  Those twinkling, searing green eyes that always appeared to reflect fun and mischief.  Shane had the gift of positivity and owned his mistakes.  While you shook your head at his antics, you felt he was always true to himself.  Somehow the good always conquered the bad and no matter what shit hit the fan, Shane would redeem himself.  He openly spoke about how challenging it was to be considered public property.  Everyone had an opinion of him, whether they were ‘into cricket’ or not.  He could never escape it, everywhere he went.  Make no mistake - fame attracts a heavy price.

Vale, Shane Keith Warne, what an incredible legacy you leave behind on this earth and my sincere condolences to your family.