SYDNEY: There is something about the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) that makes the ‘Old Lady’ so special. Located on the sprawling Moore Park, the SCG combines an old-world charm with modern architecture.

The famous ‘hill’ is missing as new stands have been constructed to make it a fully covered stadium that can seat little over 40,000 spectators.

The green-roofed Ladies pavilion and the Members’ enclosure with a clock tower gives the ‘Old Lady’ its own distinct identity.

The SCG, which has hosted Test cricket since 1882, has naturally seen huge chunks of history being created, including a few stirring encounters that remain etched in memory. Some of the greatest names to have played this wonderful game succeeded in giving full expression to their talent at the SCG, which is home to the New South Wales Cricket Association.

Don Bradman must have had mixed feelings about the SCG, for it was here that he was dropped for the first – and the only time – in his awesome career. Bradman had been asked to carry drinks as the 12th man after scoring just 18 and one on debut in the first Test of the series against England at Brisbane. Bradman, of course, returned to the playing XI in the very next match after England won by a big margin at the SCG.

Bradman’s best show at the SCG had come against Australia’s old rivals in 1946 when he and Syd Barnes added a mammoth 405 runs for the fifth wicket (a world record then) to lay the foundation for a big victory. A limping Bradman and Barnes were both dismissed for 234 each which remains the legend’s highest score at this venue. By his own admission, Bradman’s most emotional moment had come at the SCG on November 15, 1947 when he became the first Australian batsman to make 100 first-class centuries.

Sachin Tendulkar will get his chance to emulate the Don this week, but the man who has scored the most number of runs here – Ricky Ponting – will also be looking to add a few more to his tally of 1346 runs. England’s RE Foster (287) remains the highest scorer here even though Brian Lara (277) came very close to breaking that record. There is no chasing Shane Warne, though. The blond legend, with 64 wickets at the SCG heads the list of bowlers who have shone at this spin-friendly venue.