Acknowledged as one of the greatest batsman of all time, West Indian superstar Brian Lara visited the MCG today to present Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox with three of his most special bats.
Lara, an honourary MCC cricket member, has donated the bats he scored his highest scores with to the MCC to display on MCG Tours for six months. These will be displayed on the route of the MCG Tours, which runs 10am to 3pm daily (except for event days).The three bats are from when Brian Lara scored:
• 375 (against England in 1994 at Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s)
• 400 (not out against England in 2004 at Antigua Recreation Ground, St John’s)
• 501 (not out - the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, with 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994)
The MCG Tour gives visitors access to the inner sanctum, including the player change rooms, the famous Long Room, out onto the playing arena and now to see Brian Lara’s historic bats. The bats will be on display at the MCG from December 9 for six months.
MCG Tours take 75 minutes to complete and visitors have the chance to explore behind the scenes of one of the world’s most iconic stadiums. The MCG Tours are conducted by Melbourne Cricket Club members who volunteer their time to showcase the history that makes up the MCC and MCG.
MCC Members are able to do a MCG Tour for free as part of their membership. For non-MCC members. MCG Tours cost $25.00 for an adult, $14 for a child and $60 for a family (for two adults and two children) and can be booked here.
Brian Lara is in Melbourne for his show An Evening with Brian Lara, presented by Major Events, tomorrow night at the Palais Theatre. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.
To note: The National Sports Museum, home to some of the most spectacular sporting memorabilia, is currently closed for renovations and due to open in late February 2020.
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