The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will host its 100th Test match when Australia play India in the second Test commencing on Tuesday. The SCG, thus, will join elite club of international grounds to have hosted 100 Tests. SCG will be the third venue to reach the century mark, the others being Lord’s and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
A host of activities, in and around the SCG, have been planned to celebrate the milestone. Here’s some of them…
Commemorating the century, a panel of cricket experts and historians have named the 1932 Bodyline Test as the most significant Test match in the SCG’s rich history. In the SCG’s famous Bodyline Test in 1932, Stan McCabe scored 187 not out in a courageous counter-attacking innings.
Players will be receiving a special 100th Test cap on the opening morning of the opening morning of the match.
The third day of the Test has been marked as the Jane McGrath Day. So, participants in the popular high tea , which has already been sold out, will have to dress pink for Day III of the Test in support of the McGrath Foundation’s work for women with breast cancer.
On the occasion of the 100th Test, the SCG Trust has released an interview filmed by Channel Nine in the SCG Museum, in which Sachin Tendulkar tries out one of the bats used by Sir Donald Bradman. He recalls meeting the ‘Don’ and explains why he regards the SCG as his favourite Test ground outside India.
SCG Trust has also announced the best-ever Australian and World XI teams to mark the occasion. Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman have been named in the SCG’s best-ever Australian and World XI .
Australia XI: Victor Trumper (NSW), David Boon (Tas), Don Bradman (NSW/SA), Ricky Ponting (Tas), Greg Chappell (SA/Qld), Keith Miller (NSW/Vic), Adam Gilchrist (WA/NSW), Shane Warne (Vic), Ray Lindwall (NSW/Qld), CTB Turner (NSW), Glenn McGrath (NSW). Fred Spofforth (NSW, 12th man). Coaches: Bill ’Reilly & Richie Benaud.
World XI: Herbert Sutcliffe (Eng), Jack Hobbs (Eng), VVS Laxman (India), Sachin Tendulkar (India), Wally Hammond (Eng), Garfield Sobers (WI), Richard Hadlee (NZ), Alan Knott (Eng), Anil Kumble (India), George Lohmann (Eng), SF Barnes (Eng). Harold Larwood (Eng, 12th man). Coach: WG Grace.
