Sydney: Sachin Tendulkar has actually divided Australia's prime minister Julia Gillard and the country's cricket captain, Michael Clarke.

On Sunday, while Ms Gillard said that all of Australia is "looking forward to what would be a very special hundred," Clarke disagreed. With a smile, of course.

Speaking during the early afternoon tea for both teams at Ms Gillard's residence, Clarke stated: "I will disagree with the prime minister on one thing... Sachin should get his 100th hundred in the next series, not against us..."

Even a head of government has the 100th International hundred on her mind!

Not just that, Ms Gillard is a fan of Sachin and, according to a source, she warmly reciprocated his "it's an honour to meet you" sentiment when they shook hands.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni did the formal introduction.

"The prime minister clearly said it was an 'honour' to meet Sachin," the source informed.

If Sachin does get that hundred at the SCG, which hosts the second Test from Tuesday, then it would be at the same venue where Sir Donald Bradman posted his 100th first-class hundred — 172 for an Australian XI against India, in November 1947.

That prospect is making the likes of Michael Hussey nervous! "I'm getting nervous...The stars seem to be aligning with Sachin getting a hundred," he conceded.

Sachin averages well over 200 at the SCG and that, too, appears to be playing on the minds of some. According to Rohit Sharma, the tea is "looking ahead and not back" after the 122-run rout at the MCG.

Asked if James Pattinson and Co. had shaken up India, Rohit responded: "Not shaken up... They bowled well and we should accept that."

Indications are that both XIs will remain unchanged. The idea of dropping Nathan Lyon and bringing back Ryan Harris seems to have been shelved.

Meanwhile, the fifth birthday of VVS Laxman's son, Sarvajit, was celebrated at the team hotel, the majestic Sheraton On The Park. The family (others being wife Sailaja and daughter Achintya) had joined Laxman in Melbourne.

Sunday's party was attended, among others, by Laxman's teammates.

That Ashok Kumar, who owns Out of India and who is ever willing to send across "ghar ka khana," had brought samosas and veggie spring rolls, gave the spread a desi touch.

- The Telegraph, Calcutta

Also read: God willing, I'll get the 100th hundred: Sachin | Team India made to wait outside Aus PM's house