Sachin Tendulkar landed in Australia along with Yuvraj Singh, where he will be taking part in Sunday’s Bushfire Cricket Bash charity game. The legend will coach Ricky Ponting XI. When addressing the media after landing in the country, he revealed the name of the cricketer whose playing style closely resembles his.
“Marnus Labuschagne’s footwork was incredible, so he would be the one (resembling me) I would say. There is something about him,” said the Indian batting legend.
The Bushfire Cricket Bash charity game will be a pre-show to Australia’s T20 Big Bash Final. However, with downpours expected in Sydney on Sunday, Cricket Australia stated that it would not be possible to host the event at Sydney Cricket Ground as was originally planned. Instead, the game will be played at the Junction Oval in Melbourne following a T20 match between the women’s cricket teams of Australia and England on Friday.
Tendulkar stated that he was deeply troubled by the devastation the wildfire had brought to the people and wildlife of Australia. Supported by Yuvraj Singh, Tendulkar expressed his emotions.
“I received a message from Brett Lee. Brett said that Kevin (Roberts, Cricket Australia’s chief executive) would like to be in touch with you,”
Cricket.com.au quoted him as saying. “It was a no-brainer. From the moment I was asked, I said, ‘yes I’m more than happy to come here.”
“This is an alarming situation, it’s catastrophic – that’s an understatement,” said Tendulkar.
“You see the number of lives it has affected, not only humans but also wildlife which sometimes people don’t talk about. That is equally important. I’m so happy I’m here in whatever way to support the cause, to raise money.”
“Australia has always been dear to me. In 1991, as an 18-year-old I remember coming here (for the first time). I spent almost four months here. I almost had an Aussie accent when I went back to India. The competitive cricket that I played here at the age of 18 helped me a lot in my career, so I have a special feeling for Australia and Australian people.”
Australian cricketers such as Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, and Shane Warne could not take part due to prior commitments.
