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 Sachin Tendulkar likes tormenting Australia
4th Jan 2008 23:00 IST
Agencies
The Australians consider the number 87 unlucky because it is 13 short of 100 and Sachin Tendulkar is the 187th player to represent India in Test cricket.
Having tormented Australia with his batting exploits in the past, Tendulkar proved once again that he reserves his best for the world champion team when he notched up his 38th Test ton at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.
The unbeaten 154 was his eighth century against the Aussies, five of which have come Down Under.
Like VVS Laxman, Tendulkar has a special bond with the SCG as he compiled his third hundred at the majestic venue.
He came to Sydney for the first time in 1992 as a precocious teenager and grabbed attention with a sublime 148 not out.
After a relatively lean visit in 2000, Tendulkar scored unbeaten knocks of 241 and 60 in 2004. With his latest ton, his average at the ground has gone well past 300.
Time and again, Tendulkar has proved to be a major thorn for the Australians.
With more than 2,000 runs against them at an average of over 53, he clearly relishes the challenge posed by the Australians, regarded as the toughest team in world cricket.
His duels with leg-spinner Shane Warne are well documented known and the tweaker has openly admitted that Tendulkar gave him nightmares after repeatedly clobbering his bowling.
Before the ongoing Test got underway, Tendulkar had compiled 1,936 runs in 22 Tests against Australia at an average of 52.32 and his performance in the first innings will only help to increase the average.
He had 498 runs in his previous three Sydney Tests at a staggering average of 249, which will be boosted further after today's effort. |
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