Tendulkar makes elusive century on Bradman's home ground

By Julian Linden

ADELAIDE (Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar finally achieved one of the few accomplishments that had eluded him during his glittering career when he scored a century at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

The venue has long been regarded as a batsman's paradise but the Indian master had failed to notch a hundred in his three previous visits to the picturesque ground.

However, he amended that anomaly with a brilliant 124 not out against the Australians on Thursday, helping his side recover from a shaky position to reach 309-5 at stumps on day one.

It was the 39th time Tendulkar had scored a test hundred but the 34-year-old said this one was of special significance as it was on Don Bradman's home ground in possibly his last test on Australian soil.

Although Bradman, who is regarded as the greatest batsmen of all time, was born and raised in New South Wales, he spent much of his playing career in Adelaide.

"I know that Adelaide hasn't been a great ground for me. In '99 I scored 65 runs, but otherwise it hasn't been great ground," he told a news conference.

"I was determined to get a big one here and it also happens to be Sir Don's home ground.

"When I was batting I was not thinking about that, I was just concentrating, but I am very glad to get a hundred here."