A bevy of Australian football and cricket legends will reportedly be immortalized in bronze at the upgraded Adelaide Oval stadium, and will be funded by an Australian philanthropist.
Sculptures of football legends Malcolm Blight, Russell Ebert, Ken Farmer and Barrie Robran and former cricket stars George Giffen and Clem Hill will be funded by Basil Sellers and will be showcased in the stadium along with existing life-size statues of former Test paceman Jason Gillespie and current Australian coach Darren Lehmann.
According to News.com.au, Sellers, who declined to detail the cost of the statues, felt that it was important to have those sculptures made as he wanted to give back something to his home town, adding that he wanted to do so in a way which would be experienced by many people in an open setting.
Stating that he was humbled by his statue inclusion, Ebert however, said that he thought there were more deserving people than him for the statues, adding that he would like to see everyone who has played a game of cricket and football for Australia recognized.
However, the report mentioned that individuals with statues could not have a stand named after them, adding that the names of the Oval stands will be announced soon.
Sellers is the benefactor of the Basil Sellers Art Prize and the Basil Sellers Sports Sculpture Project of ten sculptures at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the report added.
