Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne Become First Cricketers to Ring Opening Bell at New York Stock Exchange Ahead of All-Stars Series
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne were accompanied by Wasim Akram and Matthew Hayden for ringing the opening bell at the world's largest stock exchange, that marked the start of the trading day. They are in the US for the three match All-Stars T20 Series.
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, who will be leading the two sides at the All-Stars T20 Series, on Friday became the first cricketers to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. (Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne Set to Woo US with All-Stars Series)
Tendulkar and Warne were accompanied by Wasim Akram and Matthew Hayden for ringing the opening bell at the world's largest stock exchange that marked the start of the trading day. Tendulkar's wife Anjali was also present on the occasion. (Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne Want to Mimic David Beckham in the US)
In the past, several Indian dignitaries, including political leaders and businessmen, have rung the opening and closing bell at the stock exchange and at NASDAQ. (Sourav Ganguly's Warning to Sachin Tendulkar: 'Give me Opening Slot or I Will go Back')
Given that cricket is not a popular sport in America, it was a spectacular sight at the New York Stock Exchange.
Commenting on the T20 series, Tendulkar said the idea behind the All-Star tournament was not only to popularise the game in America but to globalise it as there is need to have more countries play the sport competitively in tournaments like the World Cup.
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"The reason for picking up a cricket bat again after retirement is to globalise cricket. That is a dream and vision Warne and I have. One day we would like the American (cricket) team also to participate in the World Cup. It would be a great moment. All cricketers have also been endorsing for having cricket in the Olympics. This is the beginning," Tendulkar said on Thursday.
Tendulkar and Warne will lead two teams of legenadary cricketers for the three match series, starting with the first T20 at the Citi Field in New York on Saturday. In all 28 cricket legends from across the world have come together for the first ever All-Stars Series.
In the official draw of the event on Thursday, Tendulkar Picked Brian Lara as well as former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar. Tendulkar's team also has V.V.S Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag, Glenn McGrath, Curtly Ambrose, Shaun Pollock and Shoaib Akhtar.
On the other hand, Warne selected some of his former Australian teammates to play for his side, including Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds. Warne also wound up with the dream pace trio of Courtney Walsh, Allan Donald and Wasim Akram.
The other two matches will be played in Houston (November 11) and Los Angeles (November 14). This is the first time that Tendulkar and Warne will play in the US.