Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting marked his first-class Surrey debut with a century against Derbyshire in the County Championship on Saturday.
With the century, Ponting equalled Tendulkar's tally of 81 first-class hundreds. Ponting reached the mark in his 489th innings while Tendulkar had taken 486 innings to reach the figure.
Interestingly Sunil Gavaskar also has 81 first-class centuries - an Indian record which Sachin recently equalled. Sir Jack Hobbs leads the list of most first-class tons, with 199 to his name.
Ponting has retired from international cricket and has joined Surrey for a brief spell while captain Graeme Smith is away on international duty.
The 38-year-old batsman showed there is still life in the old dog as he cruised to his 81st hundred and shared a third-wicket stand of 180 in 49 overs on the third day of a four-day match at Derby.
With the century, Ponting equalled Tendulkar's tally of 81 first-class hundreds. Ponting reached the mark in his 489th innings while Tendulkar had taken 486 innings to reach the figure.
Interestingly Sunil Gavaskar also has 81 first-class centuries - an Indian record which Sachin recently equalled. Sir Jack Hobbs leads the list of most first-class tons, with 199 to his name.
Ponting has retired from international cricket and has joined Surrey for a brief spell while captain Graeme Smith is away on international duty.
The 38-year-old batsman showed there is still life in the old dog as he cruised to his 81st hundred and shared a third-wicket stand of 180 in 49 overs on the third day of a four-day match at Derby.
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