Speaking to the media Tendulkar hailed the spirit of the Aussies who according to him are ‘fierce competitors’. He said that the three and a half months he spent in Australia during his early days changed him as a cricketer.
“Three and a half months changed me completely and I was ready to face any attack in the world,” said Tendulkar.
Earlier during her visit to India last month, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard had announced that the iconic Indian cricketer would be conferred the membership of the Order of Australia.
Narrating his most memorable trip to Australia, the Little Master said, “The most Memorable trip of Australia was when I was invited by Sir Don Bradman on his 90th birthday.”
Tendulkar said that he was in the middle of a camp when he received the invitation and the BCCI agreed to send him for 3-4 days to Australia where he met the Australian legend.
Tendulkar on a funny note also told the media about Sir Don’s reaction when he asked him why his average was just 99.94. “Come on, its (99.94) not bad for a 90-year-old man,” Bradman told him.
The batting genius also spoke about how the Aussie spectators gave him a warm reception whenever he went in to bat.
“Whenever I went to bat there, everybody gave me a standing ovation. I laughed at times because they all thought it would be my last trip,” he said.
Talking about the upcoming series between India and Australia, Tendulkar said that according to him, both the sides will play competitive cricket. The Master Blaster also thanked the Prime Minister and all the Australians for the honour.
Tendulkar is not the first cricketer to be conferred the Order of Australia, as in 2009, West Indies legend Brian Lara had also been made an honorary member.
Another West Indies legend, Clive Lloyd, is an Honorary Officer in the Order of Australia, having been conferred the award way back in 1985.
Minister Crean’s speech was no less enthralling. After listing out Tendulkar’s on-field achievements, he reminded the gathering that the maestro “just made 137 in the local cricket competition” (Ranji Trophy) in the lead-up to the Test series against England. “...And we can only hope that this means he is back in form. As Australia and Indian cricket fans know, there is nothing better than beating the England!”
Crean labelled Tendulkar a global ambassador, a philanthropist and spokesperson for charities. He recalled those twin hundreds (148 in Sydney and 114 in Perth) which endeared him to the Aussie public. “On that tour, he was compared to a young Sir Don Bradman. ‘Daylight’ was the description that Warne used to describe Sachin. As in, Sachin is the best, daylight is second, and then there’s the rest.” The honour, according to Crean, will enable Tendulkar to visit Australia whenever he wants to.Tendulkar promised to visit the country again, “maybe as a cricketer or as a tourist.”
Minister Crean’s speech was no less enthralling. After listing out Tendulkar’s on-field achievements, he reminded the gathering that the maestro “just made 137 in the local cricket competition” (Ranji Trophy) in the lead-up to the Test series against England. “...And we can only hope that this means he is back in form. As Australia and Indian cricket fans know, there is nothing better than beating the England!”
Crean labelled Tendulkar a global ambassador, a philanthropist and spokesperson for charities. He recalled those twin hundreds (148 in Sydney and 114 in Perth) which endeared him to the Aussie public. “On that tour, he was compared to a young Sir Don Bradman. ‘Daylight’ was the description that Warne used to describe Sachin. As in, Sachin is the best, daylight is second, and then there’s the rest.” The honour, according to Crean, will enable Tendulkar to visit Australia whenever he wants to.Tendulkar promised to visit the country again, “maybe as a cricketer or as a tourist.”
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