The Cupboard in the Away Change Rooms

The Sydney Cricket Ground's Away Change Room is the inner sanctum of the visiting cricket team. Its famous change room doors tell a historical tale of the past and present players, and their achievements at the ground.

The Away Change Room Doors (2001/2015) by NSW Room Attendant: Rocky HarrisSydney Cricket & Sports Grounds

The SCG Members Pavilion Away Change Room previously housed a cupboard that contained essential supplies required by the Cricket NSW room attendants, such as dressings, towels, sport liniment and drinks.

In 2001, longtime SCG Away Change Room attendant Rocky Harris inscribed a tribute to Jason Gillespie’s 8/50 for South Australia at the SCG on the doors of cabinet used to score game-day necessities.

From that moment, the doors became a part of living history at the SCG, recording feats of individual excellence by visiting players.

Amused players took to the tribute with enthusiasm, requesting their feats be recorded and signing against their achievements

A tradition was formed, with players such as the legendary batsman, Sachin Tendulkar (the highest run scorer of all time)...

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralidaran who, in 2002, was rated the greatest Test bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack...

and India's aggressive batsman VVS Laxman, all adding their signatures to these remarkable relics of the cricket world.

Picked not by the official selectors but chosen by the players themselves, South Australian and Australian team stalwart Barry ‘Nugget’ Rees features with a hat-trick in 2001.

The achievements of women, such as New Zealand player Suzie Bates’ 122 not out, are also recognized.

Today, these doors feature a long list of Australian domestic and international first-class bowlers and batsmen.

The tradition continued in line with Rocky’s wishes - batsmen who score centuries on the left hand side...

...and bowlers who take five-wicket hauls on the right.

When the doors neared their capacity, a replica door panel was erected, with the original doors carefully mounted and proudly displayed in the Away Change Room for visiting teams, members and the general public to admire.

These doors record more than scores; the affection in which Room Attendant, Rocky Harris, was held is obvious.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Australia: Great Sporting Land
Explore the unifying spirit of Australian sport - from tales to traditions, larrikins to legends
View theme
Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites