Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday revealed a set of gates in the names of Cricket legends, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. They join Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson, and Arthur Morris, all New South Wales (and Australian) legends, to receive this honor at the legendary SCG.
April 24, Sachin’s birthday, the date to open the gates to mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday and also the 30th anniversary of Lara’s 277 in the SCG. His first Test century, although that Test had played in January 1993.
In a statement, Cricket Australia said the gates located between the members’ pavilion visitors’ dressing room and the Noble Bradman Messenger stand are the gates that visiting players will use to get onto the pitch. “Sydney Cricket Ground was my favorite place outside of India,” Tendulkar said in the statement. “I have great memories of the SCG since my first tour of Australia in 1991/92. It is a great honor that the gates used by all visiting cricketers to get onto the pitch of the SCG bear my name and that of my good friend Brian.
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Lara said: “I am deeply honoured to get recognized at Sydney Cricket Ground as I am sure Sachin is. The place holds many special memories for me and my family and I always enjoy visiting it when I’m in Australia.
That 277 innings remained Lara’s highest in the SCG – he scored 384 runs on the floor in four Tests total – while Tendulkar averaged 157 in the SCG and over the years with three centuries, including the memorable, hit 785 runs in five Tests 241 did not come out in January 2004. SCGopened the gates and Venues in presence of NSW chairman Rod McGeoch AO and CEO Kerrie Mather and Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.
“Both players continue to have a deep affection for the SCG and continue to be very popular when visiting Sydney.
Hockley said: “As the cricket world celebrates Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th birthday, it is a fitting and timely gesture by the SCG to recognize Sachin and Brian Lara as two legends of the international game with outstanding SCG records.
“His exploits will undoubtedly be an inspiration not only to visiting international teams but to all players lucky enough to stride on the sacred turf of Sydney Cricket Ground for generations to come.”
