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An Australian TV two-part drama on the life of late cricketing legend Shane Warne has been criticised by the player’s family as “beyond disrespectful“. The film, which went into pre-production only weeks after the retired Australian cricket player was found dead on the Thai resort island of Koh Samui, has been dubbed a “fitting tribute” by its makers. But it has been hit by criticism from those who knew Warne best.
The Nine Network in Australia is producing the film having worked with Warne as a commentator for many years following the end of his playing days. But Brooke Warne, the cricketer’s 25-year-old daughter, said on Instagram: “Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family? Who did so much for Channel Nine.”
She went on to ask why dramatising his life so soon after he died was warranted, suggesting it was insensitive, especially as it includes aspects of the lives of his extended family.
Warne’s long-time manager James Erskine told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper earlier this year: “He’s only been dead for a couple of months and for them to turn this around and think about doing some sensational thing, well they should be ashamed of themselves.”
A spokesperson for the production firm told Guardian Australia the mini-series would be a celebration of the life of “a man who lived life large and loved passionately.”
They added: “We have enormous respect for Shane and all his achievements, and our hope is all Australians including ‘Warnie’s’ family will feel the programme honours his legacy and life.”
Remembered as one of the greatest cricket players of all time and undeniably the best exponent of spin bowling ever alongside Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan, the biopic, to be called “Warnie”, is set to be broadcast over two nights next year.
Warne took 708 Test wickets for Australia, putting him second on the all-time list behind only Muralitharan. Although he enjoyed his time playing domestic cricket in England, and had a great relationship with fans in the country, he was a particular nemesis for the English national team taking 195 of his wickets against England alone. That amounts to the most of any player against a single team.
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