Sachin Tendulkar turns 50: SCG unveils gate named after Master Blaster on his birthday

Sydney, Apr 24: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar touched yet another landmark as he turned 50 on Monday (April 5). The batting maestro received a gift from Cricket Australia as his name was immortalised by getting a gate named after him at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The SCG unveiled the gate named after the legendary India cricketer to mark his 50th birthday. Sachin has a lot of happy memories at this iconic venue for it always had been a happy hunting ground for him. ( Sachin Tendulkar Turns 50: How Cricket Fraternity Wished The Master Blaster)

Sachin Tendulkar stats at SCG

Tendulkar slammed three centuries and amassed 785 runs with the highest score of 241 not out (in 2004) in five Tests at the SCG. He averaged 157 at this venue and described it as his favourite cricket ground outside of India.

"The Sydney Cricket Ground has been my favourite ground away from India. I have had some great memories at the SCG right from my first tour of Australia in 1991-92," Tendulkar said in a statement issued by the SCG.

Brian Lara Stats at SCG

Another gate in the name of Brian Lara was also unveiled to mark 30 years since the West Indian legend's innings of 277 at the SCG. The gates were unveiled by SCG and Venues NSW Chairman Rod McGeoch and CEO Kerrie Mather, as well as Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

All visiting cricket players will take to the field through the Lara-Tendulkar Gates, which are situated between the Members Pavilion's away dressing room and the Noble Bradman Messenger Stand.

A plaque was also erected, describing the Lara-Tendulkar Gates, the achievements of the two legends and their statistics at the SCG.

"It is a great honour to have the gates used by all visiting cricketers to access the field of play at the SCG named after me and my good friend Brian," Tendulkar said.

"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."

Lara, on his part, said: "I'm deeply honoured to be recognised at the Sydney Cricket Ground, as I'm sure Sachin is. The ground holds many special memories for me and my family and I always enjoy visiting whenever I'm in Australia."

Tendulkar and Lara thus joined Donald Bradman, Alan Davidson and Arthur Morris by having a set of gates named in their honour at the SCG.

The Australian cricket team enters the field via the Don Bradman Gates between the Members and Ladies Pavilions, while the Arthur Morris and Alan Davidson Gates front Driver Avenue.

"Sachin Tendulkar's record at the SCG is simply remarkable, while Brian Lara's maiden Test century remains one of the most celebrated innings by a visiting player. Both players continue to hold a deep affection for the SCG and they remain hugely popular whenever they visit Sydney," Mather said.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley added: "As the cricketing world celebrates Sachin Tendulkar's 50th birthday, this is a fitting and timely gesture by the SCG to recognise Sachin and Brian Lara as two legends of the international game with exceptional records at the SCG.

"Their feats will no doubt be an inspiration to not only visiting international teams, but all players fortunate enough to walk onto the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground, for generations to come."

(With PTI inputs)