Friday, October 17, 2008

Sachin Tendulkar: One and Only one in Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar broke Brian Lara’s record for the most Test runs on Friday, earning one of cricket’s most coveted honours in the second Test against Australia.
The master steered debutant paceman Peter Siddle for three runs immediately after tea on the first day at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium to breach Lara’s aggregate of 11,953 runs.
“It is definitely the biggest achievement in 19 years of my career,” the 35-year-old said after the day’s play. “The journey has been fantastic with ups and downs. I would have preferred to get my record earlier. But the Australians are the top side and to get it against them was a special moment and I treasure this.”
Tendulkar, who required 15 runs to surpass Lara at the beginning of the innings, batted solidly for 50 minutes before celebrating the occasion by raising his arms and looking skywards. Soon the Australian cricketers, including captain Ricky Ponting, walked up to congratulate him. The stands had begun to fill in anticipation of the approaching milestone, and a display of fireworks marked the occasion.
During the course of his 247th innings in his 152nd match, Tendulkar also became the first batsman to score 12,000 Test runs. He was dismissed for 88, leaving his career total on 12,027 runs.
“I congratulate Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the highest run scorer in Test cricket. Sachin is truly worthy of the mantle of the greatest run scorer in Tests. ”
Srivenkat

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