AusLeisure

The Sydney Cricket Ground's 100th Cricket Test has been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Sports Event of the Year Award at the global 2013 Stadium Business Awards.

The SCG's 100th Cricket Test, played last year between Australia and India, is one of seven finalists with the winner to be announced in Manchester on 6th June.

The Award covers the best sporting event held at a stadium, arena or major sports venue in the past 12 months.

The SCG's 100th Cricket Test is listed along with Super Bowl XLVI, the 2012 NBA All-Star game, the 2012 London Olympic Games 'Super Saturday' and Opening Game of EURO 2013.

The SCG became only the third ground worldwide to have hosted 100 cricket Tests when Australia defeated India by an innings and 68 runs.

The match was highlighted by the record-breaking innings of 329 not out played by Australian captain Michael Clarke, and the twin centuries made by Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey.

Trust Chief Executive Jamie Barkley explained "the SCG's 100th Test milestone took 130 years to achieve, and it is a measure of the significance that the SCG has played in the history of Australian sports and international cricket.

"Trust staff were determined not just to host another major sporting event, but create additional ways to generate public excitement about this historical milestone.

"This nomination is a reflection of the hard work, creativity and dedication of all involved, plus the support the Trust received from its partners."

To celebrate the SCG's 100th Test, the Trust commissioned an expert panel of former players, cricket journalists and sports historians to nominate the '10 most significant SCG Tests' ever played.

The panel also selected the best Australian XI and World XI teams based on their performances at the ground over the preceding 130 years.

Through media partnerships with major NSW newspapers and TV broadcasters, and a variety of other digital, print and social media channels, the results generated significant interest and debate in the lead-up to the match.

This was continued at the match itself with large video screens outside the ground showing historical footage and interviews with the judging panel.

Public and Member walkways throughout the ground were lined with large still photographs of some of the SCG's greatest Test moments, and the SCG Museum hosted a special exhibition of memorabilia that recalled many of the most significant and controversial events in this 'century of Tests'.

To record the Test in a unique way, 12 artists were commissioned to work from the stands and create works that captured some special aspect of the on-field action or the atmosphere of the historic match.

These works were promoted through the media and via the Trust's website before being auctioned online to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.

The Trust also designed a bespoke 100th Test logo that featured on special merchandise and publications, as well as on the commemorative cap that was presented to players and officials on both sides.

Keen that recognition of the event will continue, the Trust later published a 200-page 100 Tests coffee-table book documenting the greatest moments in SCG Test history and illustrated with fascinating historical and contemporary photos.

For more information go to www.xperiology.com/the-stadium-business-awards/

21st July 2012 - SCG TRUST REVEALS LONG-TERM STADIA MASTER PLAN

22nd May 2012 - SCG TRUST MEDIA COORDINATOR CAPTURES INTERNATIONAL AWARD

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