Adam Gilchrist has paid an emotional tribute to former teammates Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds.
Australian spin king Warne died aged 52 earlier this year while on holiday in Thailand, just months before Symonds was killed in a car crash.
Their deaths left cricket in Australia and the rest of the world in mourning, with tributes paid due to their careers on and off the pitch.
Both Warne and Symonds were regular features in the commentary box after retiring, and were part of Fox Cricket's coverage of the Big Bash League.
And ahead of its opening round of matches on Tuesday, a montage was screened on the channel and later posted on social media with the caption: "We miss you everyday."
In the clip, Aussie legend Gilchrist struggled to hide his tears as he remembered the two legends of the game and former friends.
"We love the Big Bash. It is our favourite time of the year and it was Warnie's and Roy's as well. That's what makes this so hard," Gilchrist said.
"Their record on the field was well documented – they were national icons, they were our icons, our favourites here in the commentary box. It is going to be a tough summer because we will think of them every day.
"What beautiful characters they were. They were cheeky. A little bit naughty. Their banter was brilliant and educational – sort of. What they said made sense most of the time.”
Mark Waugh added: "We grew up with them and we played a lot with those two guys. It’s hard they’re not here. You think you’re going to live forever."
The montage was played by Fox Cricket ahead of the opening match between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars at the Manuka Oval.
Meanwhile, Stars have confirmed they will permanently retire the No.23 jersey worn by Warne in a special tribute to the late leg-spinner.
His jersey will remain hung up in their changing rooms instead and all players will have the number included on their shirts for the first home match with Hobart Hurricanes on Friday.
