It has been a fun Down Under, says Sachin

Tendulkar has now scored a century in all Test venues he has played in Australia except Brisbane, with Sydney 3 and Perth 2 being his favourites.

Tendulkar rated this innings high on two counts 8211; he gauged it early that he was in good nick and that he shifted gears according to the ebb and flow of the game.

8220;When I drove Brett Lee down the ground I hit it exactly the way I wanted to do it. Then, when I hit a couple of drives off Mitchell Johnson at the other end.

8220;This innings was a special one because I could play it on the merit of the ball. When I needed to be defensive I could do out and when I wanted to hit, I could do it as well,8221; he said.

It was one such aggressive moment when Tendulkar picked 10 runs off successive balls to reach the coveted figure and he explained the reason for such aggressive posturing.

8220;The wind was behind me, I used it to clear the field. I knew even if I didn8217;t time the ball well, it would still clear the rope.

8220;I prefer to play the ball on merit and the next one was there to be hit so I went for it,8221; Tendulkar said.

The batsman now has 80 international centuries, including two in the first 24 days of the new year, which is a special start to 2008 after the misery of last year when he missed centuries galore.

8220;It8217;s not like easing the pain of last year. When I am getting it centuries, I prefer not to count them.

8220;Then it8217;s just not about scoring centuries. There8217;s a lot more to cricket than just this. I want to focus on the task at hand and if I end up scoring a hundred, fantastic,8221; he said.

Tendulkar looked ahead at India8217;s remaining innings in the first knock, stating it was important to be vigilant against the second new ball.

8220;The second new ball is important. It would be a key to see off the first spell of all three fast bowlers.

8220;I thought Lee bowled a fantastic spell with the old ball. He8217;s been their top bowler throughout the series, he8217;s not given us any breathing space at all,8221; he said.

8220;In the first innings a big total would be a key. This wicket will surely help spinners, there is already bounce for them. It surely would have cracks getting wider as the match progresses,8221; Tendulkar added.

Tendulkar also advised MS Dhoni, who grafted six runs from 54 balls on Thursday , not to curb his strokes and play his natural game tomorrow.

8220;He is a gifted cricketer and he should play his natural game,8221; was Tendulkar8217;s advice to the vice-captain.

Tendulkar also thanked the Adelaide crowd for their reception which he said made the century special.

8220;The reception was absolutely fantastic. I am overwhelmed by the gesture of the spectators and I want to thank them.

Their support makes the century special.

8220;It has been a fun this series Down Under. It has been very good so far. I feel good to be among runs,8221; he said.

Meanwhile, Australia8217;s left-arm spinner Brad Hogg said it was pretty special to play in the same park as Tendulkar.

8220;It8217;s a great privilege to be part of welcome that Tendulkar gets. He is one of the greatest the world has ever seen.

8220;It8217;s just fantastic to be in the same park as against someone of his calibre. He deserves standing ovation when he comes out. He8217;s a fantastic player to watch,8221; he said.

8220;I can8217;t give more than my 100 per cent. I am bowling to a few of the best players of spin.

8220;I am in a contest and trying to hold my head high,8221; Hogg said.

Hogg said the wicket increasingly would take spin and they wouldn8217;t like to chase 400 in the final innings of the match.