Chennai: Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey is a classic example of the afore-mentioned axiom. The 38-year-old Aussie has been an inspiration for cricketers throughout the world for being a symbol of the typical Aussie grit. 'Mr. Cricket' made his Test debut at the age of 30 and the rest as they say is history. A revered cricketer across the globe, Huss a year ago had mentioned 'Sachin Tendulkar is a cricketing God'.
Hussey who had been involved in many a tussle with the master blaster -in the Aussie colours as well as under M.S. Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings -best knows what it takes to play successfully at the wrong side of 30s. As Sachin is on his home stretch for a final dash against the West Indies, Hussey shared his thoughts on the genius cricketer to Deccan Chronicle.
EXCERPTS: On Sachin's retirement: It is an amazing career. I thought it was never going to end but Sachin will be remembered for so many achievements. I obviously admire his run scoring ability in all conditions. What I admire the most is that he is humble and respectful which can sometimes be difficult when you are worshipped as god of India and have a billion fans.
X-factor about Sachin: His ability to hit a ball for a boundary to four or five different places on the field. This makes him extremely tough to bowl to and to set a field to.
What would be his legacy? Longevity, consistency, humility and grace. His run scoring records will always be remembered.
Any memorable moment? At the end of a Test series in India he pulled me aside and congratulated me personally on my series. It was a thrilling moment. I felt as though he respected me as a player.
If you were to compare Ponting and Sachin, How would you do? Sachin is probably the silent assassin just going about his business taking apart bowlers with a mixture of power and touch where as Ricky was brutal on bowlers and would not let up in intensity.
If Sachin had been an Australian cricketer, would he have been allowed to play till the age of 40 despite performing well? Would his longevity in both the forms of the game continued?
Sachin has performed in all forms of the game and age is just a number so if he was performing then there is no reason why he wouldn't have been able to play till the age of 40.
Glad I'm part of Sachin farewell: Chanderpaul
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DC/Irfan Haji
Mumbai: Chanderpaul set for 150th Test The West Indies' most capped batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, will be playing his 150th Test under the shadow of Sachin Tendulkar's historic 200th. However, the Guyanese left-hander with the unorthodox batting style doesn't mind all the focus on Tendulkar and instead feels honoured to be a part of the Master's farewell Test.
“Oh it is not everyday that someone gets to a 150th Test match, so it is a milestone for me. I am looking forward to it. Also Sachin is playing his 200th Test match, so would be honoured to be a part of it also,“ Chanderpaul said after the team's practice session here on Tuesday ahead of the second and last Test against host India at Wankhede Stadium from Thursday .
The 39-year old admitted Tendulkar was a master of batting and recalled how they didn't figure him out during the 1994 tour. “In 1994 when we came here, he was batting, and in the beginning he was a little out of nick. He got some runs against New Zealand and then after that we couldn't figure out where to bowl to him.
“Some guys were saying that sometimes we probably needed to bowl a little wider. When we bowled close to him, he still hit them for a boundary . We couldn't work out a way , we were just hoping he would get out somehow,“ Chanderpaul said recalling the Wills world series tournament.
Chanderpaul felt people could learn a lot from the retiring Indian batsman. “We have watched him over the years. There is so much to learn from a legend like him. It is always a joy to look at him bat even though he is batting against us. He is a master of batting. His art, his skill and looking at him you can learn a lot.“
