Cricket fans have displayed their anger after an advert starring the late Shane Warne was used during coverage of England's Test series against New Zealand.
In March, the legendary leg spinner was found dead after suffering a heart attack whilst on holiday in Thailand, a tragedy which prompted an outpouring of worldwide grief. Later that month, he was given a state memorial service in front of 50,000 people at the MCG, with a number of cricket icons and close friends paying emotional tributes.
After retiring from the international game in 2007, Warne had gone into punditry and had become an integral part of Sky Sports' cricket coverage. He also worked in the media down under and during the most recent Ashes series in Australia, commentated for Fox Sports.
In May, it was confirmed that Lord's were renaming their commentary box after the Melbourne man, who took 708 Test wickets for 'The Baggy Greens' and was part of their 1999 ODI World Cup winning side. And during the first match of England's current series with New Zealand, Sky aired a series of tributes to the sport's greatest superstar.
However, during this week's Headingley Test they continued to use Warne, who was 52 when he died, in an advert for Advanced Hair Studio. The commercial has since been removed by Sky, after TV bosses were slammed by viewers for their apparent ignorance.
"Do you really think it’s appropriate showing adverts during the test match which feature the late Shane Warne? Bit distasteful in my eyes…" tweeted @Colin__Woods. @chasbfcdarts added: "Seeing that advanced hair studio advert with Shane Warne in doesn't sit right with me."
@Andy_Wheatley went further, posting: "Got the cricket on whilst WFH today. Advert for Advanced Hair Studio comes on in between overs.
"Not content with using footage of Graham Gooch that must be 20 years old, they're still using the late great Shane Warne's endorsement. Feels a bit weird.:
@IsRedeyes questioned the parties involved, asking: "Am I the only one who thinks it’s disgraceful that Sky are running the Advanced Hair Studio advert featuring Shane Warne? Have neither company any respect?"
A number of complainants tagged the @SkyCricket handle in their posts. And on Saturday, the channel acknowledged their mistake by taking the advert off air.
At Warne's memorial service on March 30, former Nasser Hussain paid an emotional tribute to his former Sky colleague. Hussain recited Rudyard Kipling’s popular poem titled ‘If’ as visuals of Warne played on screen.
The likes of Allan Border, Nathan Lyon, Merv Hughes, David Boon, and batter Brian Lara also attended. During the service, Warne’s three children, son Jackson and daughters Brooke and Summer, unveiled the new Shane Warne Stand at the MCG.
