What’s so special about Sydney Cricket Ground that you get a liking for it whether you are a batsman, a bowler or even a spectator? Some cricket grounds are just of those kinds, the atmosphere, the ambience, everything just seems perfect. Whether you are there watching a match live or you are in front of the TV, you feel that the situation is just right for getting in and giving it your best. In four tests Sachin played in Sydney, he has hit 2 hundreds, 1 double hundred and 1 half century.
Shane Warne made his debut on this ground against India in 1991-92 series. The stage was set, the pitch helping spinners and Indian team playing their best cricket on the tour. As much as the test is going to be remembered is as a Warne debut and his figures of 1/150, it’s much more talked about the hundred scored by then 18-year old Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 148* at the age of 18 years becoming the youngest to score a hundred on the ground. The innings was a masterpiece and got great compliments from all corners of cricket world . Ravi Shastri, who hit a double hundred, was a mere spectator to his class. They shared a partnership of 196 for 5th wicket and saved the test match. Sachin’s elegance, power and maturity rather precocity had won him many hearts not even in India but also in Australia. Richie Benaud classed it as one of the best innings he had ever seen. The late cuts, the on drives and the shots off back foot and the magical straight drive just seconded that he is the talent to watch out in the 90’s. The Test ended in a draw.
Shane Warne made his debut on this ground against India in 1991-92 series. The stage was set, the pitch helping spinners and Indian team playing their best cricket on the tour. As much as the test is going to be remembered is as a Warne debut and his figures of 1/150, it’s much more talked about the hundred scored by then 18-year old Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 148* at the age of 18 years becoming the youngest to score a hundred on the ground. The innings was a masterpiece and got great compliments from all corners of cricket world . Ravi Shastri, who hit a double hundred, was a mere spectator to his class. They shared a partnership of 196 for 5th wicket and saved the test match. Sachin’s elegance, power and maturity rather precocity had won him many hearts not even in India but also in Australia. Richie Benaud classed it as one of the best innings he had ever seen. The late cuts, the on drives and the shots off back foot and the magical straight drive just seconded that he is the talent to watch out in the 90’s. The Test ended in a draw.
He scored 45 and 4 in the next Test in 1999-00 which was the only series where he missed out scoring a century at SCG, was bit unlucky in the 1st innings when the Umpire Robinson gave him out LBW off Mc Grath.The ball hit high on his pads and was drifting on the leg side. The little master was in full flow, especially against his arch rival Mc Grath. Before Tendulkar got out he scored 2 4 . 4 4 in the same over of Mcgrath.
The next came 241* against Australia in 2004 at this ground which became the highest score by an Indian batsman at SCG. So much has been said and talked about this double hundred, and Sachin still terms it as one of the most satisfying centuries of his Test career. Prior to the test match he was actually going through a rough patch failing in the six innings of all three test matches he played that year. His average was just 17.25. He shared a partnership of 353 runs with VVS Laxman who also hit brilliant 178. This test too ended in a draw though India did have tremendous chances of winning but Steve Waugh playing in his final Test saved Australia from a series defeat.
The next in line is the 154* in 2007-08, the test which was eventually won by Australia after the Bhajji-Symonds face-off. This was a big moment for the Master as he went out to bat, he got a standing ovation from the crowd. Such was the response that you would not believe if he is just coming out to bat or he has hit a hundred. He scored at a prolific rate and hit 154* in no time making it his 8th century against Australians. So the love affair doesn’t just end here.
The Master came back to the SCG in ODI series first final and hit another 117* for India to go 1-0 in the series finals. When we see him play this way the thought comes to mind, that he doesn’t retire, that he keeps playing forever, that every ground he plays on becomes SCG for him, but we forget that he is just a human!
The next came 241* against Australia in 2004 at this ground which became the highest score by an Indian batsman at SCG. So much has been said and talked about this double hundred, and Sachin still terms it as one of the most satisfying centuries of his Test career. Prior to the test match he was actually going through a rough patch failing in the six innings of all three test matches he played that year. His average was just 17.25. He shared a partnership of 353 runs with VVS Laxman who also hit brilliant 178. This test too ended in a draw though India did have tremendous chances of winning but Steve Waugh playing in his final Test saved Australia from a series defeat.
The next in line is the 154* in 2007-08, the test which was eventually won by Australia after the Bhajji-Symonds face-off. This was a big moment for the Master as he went out to bat, he got a standing ovation from the crowd. Such was the response that you would not believe if he is just coming out to bat or he has hit a hundred. He scored at a prolific rate and hit 154* in no time making it his 8th century against Australians. So the love affair doesn’t just end here.
The Master came back to the SCG in ODI series first final and hit another 117* for India to go 1-0 in the series finals. When we see him play this way the thought comes to mind, that he doesn’t retire, that he keeps playing forever, that every ground he plays on becomes SCG for him, but we forget that he is just a human!
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