Australia v England Sydney Cricket Ground 2,3,4,5,6 January 2003 (5-day match)

Steve Waugh today became the third highest run scorer in Test history and there's more to come! With the final ball of the second day's play in Sydney, Steve Waugh reached his magnificent record equalling century.

In front of a capacity home crowd the century marks his 29th in Test cricket, more significantly perhaps, it equals a record set many years ago by cricketing legend Sir Donald Bradman.

Waugh took 156 Test appearances to match the former great who took only 52 Tests. He said "You've got to put it in perspective," said Waugh. "[Bradman] did it in a third of the Tests, which says just how great he is.

"But it's nice to draw level, it's a great honour, a fantastic privilege and I'm very pleased."

I never went out with the intention of proving anyone wrong," he said.

"I just wanted to prove to myself that I was still good enough."

He added: "I don't think it gets any better than that, scoring a hundred off the last ball in front of your home crowd and playing the way I did today," Waugh said.

"Today was pretty close to as good as I can play and if I can continue that tomorrow then maybe it is the most defining moment of my career."

Waugh joined Sunil Gavaskar 10,122 and Allan Border 11,174 on the 10,000 run landmark with a back-foot push for four off Dawson earlier in his innings. His first 50 came off just 61 balls and he reached his century in 130 balls. When his innings resumes tomorrow, Waugh (10,033) knows that he is now only 89 runs behind second placed Sunil Gavaskar and with the form he is currently in, who would bet against him eating into this narrow gap.

Waugh was under enormous pressure to quit international Test cricket before the Ashes series began back in November last year, not only from the board but also a minority of Australian fans keen to see a new leader. However, in front of his home crowd, Waugh has received nothing but 100% support.

Daily newspapers have carried a full page image of Waugh in his baggy green cap demanding he be kept on, banners were in evidence around the ground and even the ACB have backed him through the final test and beyond - all this before he hit his century.

Alec Stewart, the England wicket-keeper and all rounder said of the innings:

"People have been writing him off but today he showed what he's been showing for 17 years. It was like watching Brian Lara get his 375 in Antigua. You enjoy great moments whether it's in your own team or the opposition."

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