By Julian Linden
ADELAIDE, Jan 24 - Sachin Tendulkar finally
achieved one of the few accomplishments that had eluded him
during his glittering career when he scored a century at the
Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
The venue has long been regarded as a batsman's paradise
but the Indian master had failed to notch a hundred in his
three previous visits to the picturesque ground.
However, he amended that anomaly with a brilliant 124 not
out against the Australians on Thursday, helping his side
recover from a shaky position to reach 309-5 at stumps on day
one.
It was the 39th time Tendulkar had scored a test hundred
but the 34-year-old said this one was of special significance
as it was on Don Bradman's home ground in possibly his last
test on Australian soil.
Although Bradman, who is regarded as the greatest batsmen
of all time, was born and raised in New South Wales, he spent
much of his playing career in Adelaide.
"I know that Adelaide hasn't been a great ground for me. In
'99 I scored 65 runs, but otherwise it hasn't been great
ground," he told a news conference.
"I was determined to get a big one here and it also happens
to be Sir Don's home ground.
"When I was batting I was not thinking about that, I was
just concentrating, but I am very glad to get a hundred here."
Tendulkar has been the form batsmen in this intriguing
series, scoring an unbeaten hundred in the Sydney test and
half-centuries in Melbourne and Perth, but saved his best for
last.
GENEROUS RESPONSE
He started cautiously but brought up his fifty off 77 balls
then reached triple figures off 133 deliveries, smashing
part-time spinner Michael Clarke down the ground for a six then
a four to pass the milestone.
"There is always a moment when you are batting if you hit
the ball well, you know that confidence level shoots up," he
said.
"I was just waiting for that opportunity and whenever I got
that opportunity I made it count."
Although this series has largely been overshadowed by the
ugly fallout to the Sydney test, Tendulkar said he had been
moved by the generous response from the local crowds.
All four tests have been heavily attended with many
Australians turning out to see Tendulkar for possibly the last
time and giving him standing ovations every time he comes out
to bat.
"It is truly special, very overwhelming. The ovations have
been truly fantastic and has made my trip very, very special,"
he said.
Australian wrist spinner Brad Hogg said even the Australian
players felt privileged to see Tendulkar playing at his best.
"Any innings when Sachin is batting is a joy to watch but
you'd rather him be making the hundreds against someone else,"
Hogg said.
"It's just fantastic to be out there and to be playing
against him.
"He's up there as the greatest player the world's ever
seen. you can put him alongside Brian Lara, the Don.
"It's just a fantastic opportunity to play against someone
of that calibre. He deserves that standing ovation when he
comes out and hopefully he plays a few more years down the
track because he's such a fantastic player to watch."
(Editing by John O'Brien)