Sachin Tendulkar's 50th birthday has been marked in style, with the Indian legend's heroics at the Sydney Cricket Ground officially immortalised with a set of gates named in his honour.
Cricket Australia announced on Monday that both Tendulkar and West Indies great Brian Lara would have a set of gates at the SCG jointly named after them.
The gates, used to access the field of play, were unveiled to mark Tendulkar's 50th birthday, and 30 years since Lara's innings of 277 at the venue.
All visiting cricketers will take to the field through the Lara-Tendulkar Gates, situated between the Members Pavilion's away dressing room and the Noble Bradman Messenger Stand.
The Australian cricket team enter the field via the Don Bradman Gates between the Members and Ladies Pavilions, while the Arthur Morris and Alan Davidson Gates front the stadium on Driver Avenue.
The SCG was a paradise for Tendulkar, with the Indian star averaging a remarkable 157 from his five Tests there.
He posted an unbeaten 148 in his first Sydney Test in 1992, and plundered unbeaten scores of 241 and 60 against Australia in 2004.
"The Sydney Cricket Ground has been my favourite ground away from India," Tendulkar said in a statement on his 50th birthday.
"I have had some great memories at the SCG right from my first tour of Australia in 1991-92.
"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."
Lara was playing just his fifth Test match when he posted 277 against Australia at the SCG in 1993, an innings that showcased his dazzling talents to the world.
"The ground holds many special memories for me and my family and I always enjoy visiting whenever I'm in Australia," Lara 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."
TENDULKAR'S TEST INNINGS AT THE SCG
*148no v Australia in 1992
*45 and 4 v Australia in 2000
*241no and 60no v Australia in 2004
*154no and 12 v Australia in 2008
*41 and 80 v Australia in 2012
