Waugh=Bradman
Steve Waugh attained new milestones in his fabulous unbeaten century against England in the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.
Waugh's 102 not out was his 29th Test century in a record-equalling 156th Test with Allan Border, equalling cricket immortal Don Bradman's Australian record.
It is bettered only by Indian duo, Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (31), on the all-comers' list.
The 37-year-old Australian skipper also joined compatriot Border (11,174) and Gavaskar (10,122) along the way in the exclusive 10,000 run club.
"My dad watched Steve's career with great admiration and I know he would want me to congratulate him on this achievement," Bradman's son, John, said from Adelaide.
Bradman holds such an exalted place in cricket that Waugh was reluctant to be compared with him.
"It's a privilege to be equal with him on 29 Test centuries," Waugh said.
"I think you can put it in perspective by saying he played one-third (52) of the Test matches I've played.
"(But) I'm sure he would have enjoyed it, hopefully half as much as I did."
Never in living memory has such an innings of an Australian cricketer captivated a big crowd as Waugh's effort did at the SCG on Friday.
The 41,000 capacity crowd hung on every scoring shot and he received two tumultuous ovations upon reaching 10,000 Test runs when on 69 and his unforgettable century off the last ball.
"The (last) shot had to be played, I wasn't really sure where it was going to be," said Waugh.
"But the adrenaline was almost overpowering and I felt I had to get the hundred tonight, it would have been a disappointment for the crowd and probably for myself... I might not have slept that easy tonight.
"I just went along with the flow for the last couple of overs, I felt as if it was my day and it was meant to happen and just go along with whatever came up."
Waugh played the innings of his life against the backdrop of months of unrelenting pressure over his Test spot following the enforced retirement of his twin brother Mark before the Ashes series.
The 'Ice Man' of cricket in the process made a mockery of speculation about his immediate playing future with selectors indicating that he will not be guaranteed selection beyond the Sydney Test.
"I've always said that it's desire, commitment and passion that count and age has nothing to do with how well you're going to play, if you haven't got that burning desire, that inner strength, then there's no point in playing," he said.
"Age is totally irrelevant, it's what's inside you and I don't believe in age determining whether you should be in the side or not."
England rival Alec Stewart, himself the subject of retirement speculation at the age of 39, paid tribute to Waugh.
"The publicity has gone with Steve for a while now, and as much as you don't like to say it, you are pretty pleased, in a way, that he actually got it," Stewart said.
"You always trying to get him out first ball, but from his point of view, and he's a cricketing friend, to have done what he's done against a pretty tough media that he's copped over the last six to 12 months just shows what a quality person, a quality player he is."
Waugh thrives on the pressure situation and showed it once again on Friday. "I like the situation where it's a real challenge, where it's three for 50 and chasing 362 on a wicket that's deteriorating," Waugh said.
"For me, that's what gets me going and so it was probably the perfect opportunity for me to come in today."
Australia's cricket-loving Prime Minister John Howard was among the spectators at the ground to witness Waugh's achievement.
"It was a fairytale day for Australian cricket, for Steve and for his family," Howard said.
"I congratulated him personally on a magnificent innings and I know that millions of cricket lovers around Australia would share my feelings."
Adam Gilchrist was with Waugh at the end, scoring a single off the penultimate ball to let his skipper take the centre stage.
Gilchrist also played a significant role in helping Australia claw their way back into the match, finishing 45 not out after an unbroken 87 run partnership.
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