Shane Warne's emotional tribute to son after SAS Australia exit

11 November 2020 at 1:34 am·3-min read

Shane Warne posted a heartfelt tribute to son Jackson on Instagram, after the 21-year-old's turn on reality TV show S.A.S. Australia. Pictures: Instagram

Cricket great Shane Warne has posted a heartfelt tribute to his son Jackson on social media, after the 21-year-old bowed out of controversial reality program SAS Australia.

The show centred around a group of celebrities being put through gruelling S.A.S.-style training, testing how long each can last before they choose not to go on.

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The junior Warne said he chose to take part in the show to prove his own mental toughness, after an admittedly ‘easy’ upbringing thanks to his father’s fame.

“I came on this show to prove to myself that just because of my upbringing, which was very easy, that I could still go through all of the tough stuff and I feel like I did,” Jackson wrote on Instagram after leaving the show.

“I feel accomplished and satisfied.”

While the show has generated controversy over the choices of celebrity for the competition, as well as early scenes which featured AFLW star Tayla Harris fighting former rugby star Nick Cummins as part of an early challenge, Shane Warne posted that he was proud of what his son had achieved on the program.

He also thanked Ant Middleton, the former British S.A.S. soldier tasked with running the gruelling training sessions.

“Thankyou to @antmiddleton and everyone who supported Jackson on his amazing journey,” Shane wrote.

“I’m so glad everyone got to see what a wonderful, caring and thoughtful young man Jackson is. Love you so much.”

View this post on Instagram

First of all I’d like to say a big big thank you to the Directing Staff @antmiddleton @billingham22b @ollie.ollerton @jason_carl_fox It was an absolute honour to be on your course. You gave me the chance to get out of my comfort zone and push myself to the absolute limit. Also Thank you to @sasaust7 for giving me the opportunity to be apart of something so special. To my fellow recruits, thank you for being such supportive and welcoming team mates. We’ve made friendships and memories that we will have for life. Lastly and most importantly, thank you to every single one of you who have supported me through this whole journey. Every like, comment and message has meant the world to me. I gave it my all and left with no regrets. Number three over and out... @sasaust7 #SASaustralia. ✌🏼
A post shared by Jackson Warne (@jacksonwarne18) on Nov 10, 2020 at 1:40am PST

Heartbreaking end to Callum Ferguson’s first-class career

Callum Ferguson was cruelly denied a century in his farewell match as South Australia clung on gamely in their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland.

Retiring Ferguson was trapped in front by Mark Steketee for 97, ending a 17-year first-class cricket career that included one Test for Australia.

When Harry Nielsen (114) departed just one run later, the Redbacks again looked vulnerable to defeat at 6-312, chasing another 136 runs to win.

Callum Ferguson was dismissed for 97 in his final first-class innings for South Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Ferguson and Nielsen had been going along superbly at ACH Group Stadium, putting on 218 runs for the fifth wicket.

Always behind in the match, their partnership raised the prospects of an unlikely win given the Bulls had held a 342-run first innings lead.

But Queensland will now be favourites to close out the match.

Liam Scott (11) and Chadd Sayers (14) were the not out SA batsmen at tea.

Steketee was the pick of the Queensland bowlers with innings figures of 3-33.

With AAP