Mumbai: Great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar who was conferred with the Membership of the Order of Australia said that outside India, Australia was his most favoured destination with regard to playing cricket with SCG being his favorite venue.
“I publicly admit that that apart from India, Australia is the best place I have enjoyed playing cricket. Sydney is my favourite ground. I have many fond memories of my tour to Australia; especially the SCG, where I got the chance to hold the bat used by Sir Don Bradman. It took me a step further in my liking for Australia and the SCG,” said Tendulkar.
Thanking the Australian Prime Minister, Sachin said that he was overwhelmed with the award. “It’s overwhelming. I thank the PM of Australia, Julia Gillard, Minister Crean, the Australian High Commissioner to India, Peter Varghese, and the Consul General. I also thank the people of Australia who have supported me over the years.’’
Though Tendulkar toured Australia for the first time in 1991, the Little Master said that his association with Australia started in 1985. “My association with Australia started not in the 1991-92 series, but in 1985 when I was 12 years old. I started dreaming about going to Australia and playing cricket, watching those fantastic day-night matches on television. It turned into reality in 1991-92. I was 18 then and playing the top side in the world. The tour completely changed me as a cricketer. It was a critical moment of my career,” said Tendulkar.
Terming his trip to Australia to wish Sir Don Bradman on his 90 birthday as the most memorable, Tendulkar said he will cherish the moment throughout his life. “I was in the middle of a national camp in Chennai and the BCCI graciously agreed to send me to Australia for three or four days. I had the opportunity to meet Sir Don along with Shane Warne. Both of us were so tense that we did not know how to react. The moment we reached Sir Don’s house, we were struck by his personality and allowed him to talk as much as he wanted to; we just wanted to listen to him.”
By Indian Sports News Network