♦ Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar was awarded honorary membership of the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).

♦ Founded in 1838, the MCC is one of the oldest sports clubs in Australia and is responsible for the management and development of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

♦ Tendulkar has an impressive record at the MCG, with 449 runs from five Tests at an average of 44.90, including a century and three fifties. 

♦ Earlier in 2012, Tendulkar was awarded the Order of Australia, one of the country's highest honours.