IND vs AUS: Sydney Cricket Ground holds a special place in the Australian cricketing folklore. The venue, every year, gets to host the New Year Test, and it is also called the Pink Test with the awareness spread around breast cancer. The tradition continues even during the ongoing summer Down Under, with India and Australia scheduled to face each other at the venue on January 3.
Over the years, several players have enjoyed batting at the SCG, especially in the longest format of the game. More often than not, the Aussie batters have made most of the best batting conditions on offer at the venue. On that note, let us have a look at five players who have scored most centuries at the SCG.
1. Steve Smith
Steve Smith of Australia is on top of this list, with as many as eight centuries to his name at the iconic SCG. He has played 34 matches across formats at the venue, scoring 2100 runs at an impeccable average of 60. Apart from his eight tons, he has also notched up 10 fifties, helping Australia dominate the proceedings.
Four out of his eight tons at the SCG have come in Tests for the former Australia skipper. In just 11 Test matches played here, Smith has amassed 1059 runs at an average of almost 71 with four tons and seven half-centuries. Smith has returned to form at the right time and would be eager to add more tons to his tally in the upcoming New Year Test against India.
2. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting played a lot of cricket at home during his illustrious career that spanned from 1995 to 2012. He turned up at the SCG to play for Australia in as many as 60 matches across formats, crossing the 100-run mark eight times. He scored 2853 runs at an average of 46.01 and also notched up 12 fifties.
Six out of his eight tons at the SCG came in the longest format of the sport. Ponting loved to play red-ball cricket in Sydney, thanks to his 1480 runs in 16 Tests at a brilliant average of 67.27. Apart from six centuries, Ponting also scored six fifties, showcasing his talent to the jam-packed crowd.
3. David Warner
David Warner, at his home ground, was an extremely dangerous prospect, and he proved it whenever he stepped on the field at the SCG. He notched up seven centuries across formats in 35 matches, amassing 1956 runs at a fantastic average of 50.15 even as he registered 12 fifties.
Like Smith, even Warner notched up four Test centuries at the SCG while the rest of the three came in the shorter formats. In the longest format, the southpaw played 12 Tests in Sydney, scoring 884 runs with four tons and as many fifties to his name.
Warner retired from international cricket earlier this year but would reminisce about his time at the venue. He is playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) leading Sydney Thunder and will be looking forward to making the most of his form here. Warner will miss playing Test cricket at the SCG but will be seen in a coloured jersey during the BBL, playing for the Thunder at the venue.
4. Matthew Hayden
Being an opener and becoming successful is a very tough task, especially in the longest format. But Matthew Hayden thrived after being challenged during his illustrious career, smashing five centuries at the SCG. During his 15-year career at the international level, Hayden got to play 28 matches at the venue, smashing 1640 runs at an average of 49.69.
He is in the fourth position in terms of scoring most tons at the SCG across formats. He notched up four Test centuries at the venue with the rest of them coming in ODIs. He played 11 Tests at the SCG, scoring 962 runs at an average of 53.44. Hayden also scored three half-centuries in the whites for Australia at the SCG.
5. Greg Chappell
Greg Chappell is hailed as one of the best batters in Australian cricketing history. He loved batting and scoring runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He played 37 matches across formats at the SCG, smashing five centuries. He scored 1857 runs at an average of 48.86 while also registering eight fifties.
Four of his five centuries at the SCG came in the longest form of the sport. Chappell played 12 Tests at the venue, amassing 1150 runs at an average of 63.88, and apart from his four tons, he also scored three fifties.
Sydney Cricket Ground holds a special place in the Australian cricketing folklore. The venue, every year, gets to host the New Year Test, and it is also called the Pink Test with the awareness spread around breast cancer. The tradition continues even during the ongoing summer Down Under, with India and Australia scheduled to face each other at the venue on January 3.
Over the years, several players have enjoyed batting at the SCG, especially in the longest format of the game. More often than not, the Aussie batters have made most of the best batting conditions on offer at the venue. On that note, let us have a look at five players who have scored most centuries at the SCG.
With India playing their do-or-die game at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, this turns out to be India’s first must-win situation in the WTC. The SCG test might also be decisive for some career-turning decisions of legendary Indian players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
