Kookaburras captain Dwyer is a Tendulkar fan

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar’s popularity transcends the boundaries of cricket as star Australian hockey player Jamie Dwyer is a big fan of the champion Indian batsman and considers him one the greatest willow-wielders of the game.

Apart from representing his country in the Commonwealth Games, Dwyer is closely following the ongoing India-Australia cricket rivalry and said the Kookaburras were heartbroken when VVS Laxman’s heroic unbeaten 73 guided India to a dramatic one-wicket win over Ricky Ponting’s men in the first Test at Mohali on Tuesday.

“We have been closely following our cricket team and the entire side was disappointed when we lost the first Test to India. The match could have gone either way but Laxman made the difference. He played really well in the second innings. He has always troubled the Australians,” the three-time world hockey player of the year said.

“But I must say Sachin (Tendulkar) too was exceptional in the first innings. I am big Sachin fan. He is my favourite Indian cricketer. I follow him closely as he is one of the best batsman in the world,” said Dwyer, who is also the co-captain of the Australian hockey team.

Tendulkar also played a crucial part in India’s victory in Mohali with a 98-run knock in the first innings.

Dwyer said unlike hockey the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian cricket team is a difficult side to beat at home as it has innumerable match-winners up its rank.

“For any country India is always a tough team to beat at home. They are the best team in the world. The Indian team is full of superstars.

“Whenever they are in tough situations, one or the other stands up delivers,” said the 32-year-old, who was offered a cricket scholarship at the age of 15 but preferred hockey to realise his childhood dream of competing at the Olympics.

Dwyer also said that during his spare time, he would be keenly following the second Test between India and Australia which starts at Bangalore on Saturday and hoped that his native country would draw level the two-Test series.

“I feel Australia will make a strong comeback in Bangalore and hope we can win that match draw the series,” said the veteran player, who scored the winner for Australia in the gold medal match of the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Dwyer has also played a vital role in Australia’s unbeaten run in the Commonwealth Games, having featured in the last two edition of the quadrennial event.

Although Australian hockey team is enjoying a dream run this season having won every major international tournaments, including the World Cup and the Champions Trophy earlier this year, he said England and Pakistan are the major threats which stand in the way of their fifth Commonwealth Games gold.

“We are having a great year and are looking forward to win the Commonwealth Games but England and Pakistan would be tough opponents,” said Dwyer.