India’s Test series win Down Under on January 7 is the culmination of a journey of much sweat, blood and tears of the various sides from the nation that have toured Australia since 1947.
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a classical arena for Tests. It respects tradition but blends seamlessly with the modern times. Here, you have the Lady Members’ Stand built in a bygone era. Men are also allowed there these days.
The pavilion is still preserved and celebrated much like the timeless memorabilia that enrich the cricket museum in the stadium. The collection includes the baggy green caps of Victor Trumper and Don Bradman.
Then we have the willows used by two of Australia’s modernday legends, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. Bradman’s Invincibles find a place, so do the Chappell brothers and the fiery pace duo of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. Not to speak of the destructive spinpace combination of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
The SCG is truly an iconic cricket ground. It is adorned not just by bronze statues of Aussie legends, with Steve Waugh wearing his famous scarf and raising his willow greeting you as you enter through the main entrance, but also of a famous heckler.
Yes, there is a statue dedicated to the immortal barracker from the SCG Hill, Yabba, whose real name was Stephen Harold Gascoigne. Yabba would taunt cricketers from the Hill in his unique voice, his sharp comments laced with humour. Yabba passed away in 1942 but his memory lives on.
The ambience at the SCG is relaxed, with the eateries outside the stands having spacious seating arrangements.
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