The newly named Lara-Tendulkar Gates at the Sydney Cricket Ground. | Photo Credit: ANI
The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Monday used legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th birthday celebrations to unveil the doors to the iconic Australian venue named after the Indian legend and fellow cricket great. Brian Lara from the West Indies.
All visiting players will now pass onto the field through the newly named Lara-Tendulkar Gates, with the duo bestowed with the honor on Monday which coincided with Mr. Tendulkar.
The first century of the Test of Mr. Tendulkar on Australian shores arrived at the beautiful Sydney venue and the champion right-hander averaged a massive 157 from five Test matches at the ground. In 13 international matches at the SCG, Mr. Tendulkar scored 1,100 runs at an average of 100, with four centuries and four fifties and a best score of 241*.
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Behind West Indies’ Viv Richards (1,134 runs) and Desmond Haynes (1,181 runs), he is the third highest run-scorer at the venue among non-Australian players. Mr. Tendulkar wants to play in Australia and the numbers prove it. In his 67 international matches there, Tendulkar scored 3,300 runs at an average of 42.85. He scored seven centuries and 17 half-centuries in the country, with a best score of 241*.
Mr. Tendulkar is the fifth highest non-Australian run-scorer in Australia, behind Brian Lara (3,370 runs), Virat Kohli (3,426 runs), West Indies duo of Desmond Haynes (4,238 runs) and Viv Richards (4,529 runs).
“Sydney Cricket Ground is my favorite ground away from India,” Mr. Tendulkar was quoted as saying by the ICC. “I have had some great memories at the SCG right from my first tour to Australia in 1991-92. It was a great honor to use the gates of all the visiting cricketers to access the playing field at the SCG named after me and to my good friend Brian. I would like to thank the team at the SCG and Cricket Australia for this kind gesture. I look forward to visiting the SCG soon,” added Mr. Tendulkar.
The unveiling also took place 30 years after Lara made his famous innings of 277 against Australia at the SCG in 1993 and the West Indies great was delighted to receive the honour.
“I am very honored to meet 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,” said G .Lara, who has a staggering tally of 3,370 runs in 71 international matches in Australia at an average of 41.09 and eight centuries and 19 half-centuries to his name in the country. Lara has also played 13 matches at the SCG, where he scored 654 runs in 16 innings at an average of 43.60 with two centuries and a fifty.
