They join Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris to be honored on the iconic pitch
ESPNcricinfo staff
The Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday unveiled a set of gates named after Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. They join Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris, all New South Wales (and Australian) legends in being so honored at the iconic SCG.
April 24 was chosen as the date to unveil the gates to mark Tendulkar’s 50th birthday, as well as the 30th anniversary of Lara’s 277 at the SCG, her first Test century, although that Test was played in January 1993.
In a statement, Cricket Australia said the gates, located between the Members’ Pavilion outdoor dressing room and the Noble Bradman Messenger Stand, are those through which visiting players will enter the pitch.
“Sydney cricket ground has been my favorite ground away from India,” Tendulkar said in the statement. “I have had fond memories at the SCG from my first tour of Australia in 1991-92. It is a great honor to have the gates used by all visiting cricketers to access the SCG playground named according to me and my good friend Brian.”
Lara said: “I am deeply honored to be recognized at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as I am sure Sachin is. The ground holds many special memories for me and my family and I always enjoy visiting whenever I am in Australia.”
Those runs of 277 remained Lara’s highest at SCG – he tallied 384 ground runs in four tests in total – while Tendulkar averaged 157 at SCG, scoring 785 runs in five tests over the years with three centuries, including the memorable 241 not released in January 2004.
Shastri: All eyes were on Tendulkar when he netted in Pakistan
Shastri on his earliest memories of Tendulkar and how he felt commenting on Arjun’s first IPL game more recently
The gates were unveiled by SCG and Venues NSW Chairman Rod McGeoch AO and CEO Kerrie Mather, along with Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.
“Sachin Tendulkar’s record at SCG is nothing short of remarkable, while Brian Lara’s first Test century remains one of the most celebrated runs by a visiting player,” said Mather. “Both players continue to have a deep affection for the SCG and they remain hugely popular whenever they visit Sydney.”
Hockley said: “As the cricketing world celebrates Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th birthday, it is an appropriate and timely gesture on the part of the SCG to recognize Sachin and Brian Lara as two legends of the international game with outstanding records at the SCG. .
“Their achievements will no doubt be an inspiration not only to visiting international teams, but to any players lucky enough to walk the hallowed turf of Sydney’s cricket ground, for generations to come.”