Australia’s Women’s World Cup campaign opened with a tribute to Shane Warne and Rod Marsh as the cricket world came to terms with the deaths of two legends.
Two of cricket’s greats, Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, have been honoured by the Australian and English women’s cricket teams with a minute silence before their World Cup campaign begins in Hamilton, New Zealand this morning.
The cricketing world has been left stunned by the sudden and sad news of Warne’s passing overnight after a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand.
Marsh sadly passed away on Friday following a heart attack a week earlier.
The Australian and English women’s teams will don black armbands for the 50-over-clash as a sign of respect.
Aussie captain Meg Lanning said it had been a sad week.
“Losing Shane and Rod in the last couple of days has been very sad, our thoughts are with their family and friends, they were two icons of the game. It is a very sad time and hopefully we can do them proud today,” Lanning said.
Australia lost the toss and will be first to the crease with the bat.
Lanning wasn’t phased by the prospect of having to chase down the reigning World Cup champions.
“We have been 50-50 with chasing and setting the last couple of years,” she said.
Australia will be without Ashleigh Gardner who tested positive to Covid-19 earlier this week.
All-rounder Annabel Sutherland has been brought into the squad.
“It is unfortunate we are missing Gardner, but we feel we have some good coverage here. Gardner is going as well as can be expected but is frustrated she can’t be here today,” Lanning said.