First Cricketers to Ring Opening Bell at New York Stock Exchange Ahead of All-Stars T20 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. Tendulkar and Warne were accompanied by Wasim Akram and MatthewHayden for ringing the opening bell at the world's largest stock exchange that marked the start of the trading day. Sachin wife Anjali was also present on the occasion.

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.

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 popularize the game in America but to globalize it as there is need to have more country's play the sport competitively in tournaments like the World Cup.

"The reason for picking up a cricket bat again after retirement is to globalize 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 legendary 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 Courtnies 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.