8 February 2019

The biggest event in the history of the Lord’s Taverners ACT helped to mark the first time a Test match was played in Canberra, between Australia and Sri Lanka.

The inaugural Canberra Test Match Breakfast, which was held at the Hotel Realm (not far from Manuka Oval) on Friday, 1 February – the morning of day one of the match – attracted a massive crowd of more than 300 people and many of the guests went on to attend the match itself.

The guest speakers were cricketing royalty – retired Australian champion Mike “Mr Cricket” Hussey, arguably Sri Lanka’s greatest ever player Kumar Sangakkara and another former Australian champion (and now senior executive with Cricket Australia), Belinda Clark AO.

All three were part of a panel discussion ably coordinated by master of ceremonies (and retired Canberra media personality), Phil Lynch.

ACT Chief Minister, Mr Andrew Barr MLA was also on hand to acknowledge the significance of the occasion.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend, at the tail-end of the summer holiday period.

The Lord’s Taverners ACT would like to recognise our event supporters Doma Hotels, Lanterne Rooms (Campbell), Thai Chiang Rai (Belconnen), Canberra Wind Symphony, Ottoman Cuisine (Barton), Banana Leaf (Kingston), Virgin Australia (in association with the Australian Parliament Sports Club), SriLankan Airlines and pro golfer Brendan Jones.

Funds raised at this superb cricket charity event go towards the work the Lord’s Taverners does supporting local young and disadvantaged cricketers and other athletes.