At height of T20 season, Sachin says Test success most satisfying

Mumbai : Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar today rated the Australian series of 1999 as the toughest in his 24-year long international career. “The toughest series without any doubt was in 1999 when we went to Australia and they had a great side,” said Tendulkar. “In a team of 11, they had seven to eight match-winners and the rest were also very good. That was a team which dominated world cricket for a number of years. They had their own style of playing, very aggressive,” said Tendulkar. The Steve Waugh-led side dominated the three-match series, handing India a 3-0 whitewash.  The batting legend added that other teams admired the Australian style of play and wanted to emulate them. “I still remember the brand of cricket they played, impressed the whole world. Everyone wanted to play that brand of cricket. Though we all respect our style of playing, but everyone felt that the brand of cricket they played was special. They were able to do that consistently. It was a world class team,” he said.
Picking the longest format of the game as his favourite, Tendulkar said, “If I have to compare Test cricket and ODI cricket, without any doubt, the greatest satisfaction is when you do well in Test cricket and you do something special for the team.” Having had many encounters against world-class bowlers in his long career, the 44-year said that he did not relish facing former Protea captain Hansie Cronje. “From 1989 when I started playing, there would be at least 25 world-class bowlers. But someone I didn’t enjoy batting against was Hansie Cronje. For some reason I got out and over a period of time I realised that I am better off being at the non-striker’s end. “I would tell the other batsman if (Allan) Donald or (Shaun) Pollock is bowling from the other end, I will manage but take more strike against Hansie.” The former India captain said he realised the importance of nutrition as a 13-year-old when he got out after lunch because he didn’t have enough energy to carry on.   “It was the biggest lesson of my life. When I got back to the dressing room, the first thing I asked was I need something to eat. I decided from that day that this should not be the reason for me to get out,” Tendulkar said.