Stewart hails 'legend' Waugh

Stewart congratulates Waugh on his record ton

England's Alec Stewart described Steve Waugh as "a cricketing legend" after the Australia captain hit a record-equalling century in the fifth Test at Sydney on Friday.

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Waugh joined all-time great Sir Donald Bradman on a national record 29 Test tons when he struck the final ball of the day for four

Today I showed what a quality Test cricketer I am

Alec Stewart

Having already become the third Test batsman to pass 10,000 Test runs, he finished the day 102 not out.

Stewart said: "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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However, Waugh, who reached the mark in what is a record equalling 156th Test, paid tribute to Bradman himself.

The Australian legend took just 52 appearances over his haul of centuries.

"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."

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Many pundits had predicted that Waugh would be forced into retirement after this match.

But the Australia captain claimed that the innings was not aimed at the selectors.

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

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"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."

Stewart became the ninth-highest Test run-scorer, and topped Geoffrey Boycott to become the third-best Englishman, during a sparkling innings of 71.

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And he took an opportunity to take aim at those in the media who have called for his retirement at the age of 39.

"Most of my career people have been writing me off, and the media have been doing it a lot in the last few weeks," he said.

"But today I showed what a quality Test cricketer I am and will continue to be while I'm selected by the people that count.

"While I'm doing all right I want to carry on, but while I'm playing well why get rid of a quality player?"