Hazare cherishes two Bradman moments

Former Test batsman Vijay Hazare cherishes two moments of Sir Donald Bradman on his country's tour of Australia in 1947-48.

Hazare, 85, recalled those occasions on Monday following the death of Bradman on Sunday.

"When we flew to Sydney on that tour, we were surprised that Bradman was waiting to welcome our team at the airport. It was a cherished moment," Hazare, who lives in Baroda, said.

Hazare also treasures the compliments from Bradman after he scored a century in each innings at Adelaide -- 116 and 145 -- in one of the rare highlights for India during a 4-0 defeat in the five-Test series.

"When I scored those centuries, Bradman came along and congratulated me. He shook hands and wished me all the best. It was a very happy occasion," he said.

Asked what separated Bradman from the game's other greats, Hazare said: "I think he was very lenient and never hesitated about coming into the dressing room, enquiring about you, whether you needed anything.

"He was this sort of a delightful cricketer."

Hazare said Bradman's astute captaincy was also on view during the rain-hit second Test in Sydney.

"Those days when there was rain and the wicket was wet, there was no covering of the wicket. In Sydney, he reversed the batting order and when the wicket got better he started sending in the specialist batsmen."

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