Since June last year, Australia has been engulfed by large bushfires, causing severe damage Down Under with approximately 46 million acres of land burnt, over 5,900 buildings destroyed, 30 people dead and over one billion animals killed including the possible extinction of many endangered species.

And while big names and organisations from all over the world, including Hockey India did their bit to help the victims of the devastation, Cricket Australia took the latest and probably the biggest step in which they invited some of the biggest names of the previous generation of cricketing legends to play an exhibition match and collect funds. 

61840 runs
171 centuries
4 World Cups trophies
And Billion Memories

... in one frame ð¤¯
Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky ponting @sachin_rt#BigAppeal | #BushfireCricketBashpic.twitter.com/8zlPPDTgzD

â Sachinð®ð³ Tendulkar FC CrickeTendulkar (@CrickeTendulkar) February 9, 2020

Being played at the Junction Oval, Melbourne, the Bushfire Cricket Bash also led to some of the finest gentlemen of the game in Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara to come out of retirement, pad up and play some knocks.

While Tendulkar was supposed to be the coach of the Ponting XI team led by former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, it was 2019 Women's Cricketer of the Year, Ellyse Perry who challenged the Master Blaster to bat for one over to her deliveries.

Not our day today, but we're gearing up for a huge day tomorrow with the Bushfire Cricket Bash straight after our must-win match against England!@sachin_rt, keen for a hit in the middle to rustle up a few more $ for bushfire affected communities? https://t.co/aKGDE5AH4f pic.twitter.com/RtAxyot7ow

â Australian Women's Cricket Team (@AusWomenCricket) February 8, 2020

"Hey Sachin, it's awesome to have you out here in Australia supporting the Bushfire match," she had said. "We'd love to have a bowl to you and obviously fetch a few balls from over the boundary that you've hit.

"We thought it would be an awesome way to raise a bit more money for the Bushfire Appeal, which I know you're already doing so much for,â she added.

Tendulkar, who is a natural competitor and is willing to go that extra mile to collect enough funds for a good cause, had to say yes.

Sounds great Ellyse. I would love to go out there & bat an over (much against the advice of my doctor due to my shoulder injury).
Hope we can generate enough money for this cause, & to get me out there in the middle.

You can get involved & donate now on https://t.co/IObcYarxKr https://t.co/gl3IVirCBY

â Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 8, 2020

"Sounds great Ellyse," said the 46-year-old. "I would love to go out there and bat an over (much against the advice of my doctor due to my shoulder injury),â he tweeted. "Hope we can generate enough money for this cause, and to get me out there in the middle."

And surely enough, we saw Tendulkar walk to the pitch, padded up in an unprecedented green and gold jersey and face Perry for six deliveries.

Ellyse Perry bowls Sachin Tendulkar bats

This is what dreams are made of ð¤©pic.twitter.com/WksKd50ks1

â ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2020

And even though it has been a while since Tendulkar did it, as soon as he saw the ball pacing towards him, his natural instincts took over and he edged the ball for four.

On the other hand, a 50-year-old Brian Lara, who was suppose to bat for Pontingâs team ended up with the shot of the evening: 

50 is just an age number, the class of Brian Lara is permanent. #BushfireCricketBash pic.twitter.com/5dpGbgrWQ7

â FuuuuCk Sazz (@Sazzz0007) February 9, 2020

That exaggerated backlift. That brilliant footwork. That lovely bat swing. That ball in the air and across the boundary and that smile on the face.

The adults wonât forget and the kids wonât understand.

Hereâs how Twitter reacted on this rare occasion: 

Didn't imagine that @sachin_rt...will bat with @KookaburraCkt...and that too in @CricketAus...Jersey...#SachinTendulkar...#Sachin... pic.twitter.com/4hihMdFmyK

â Josh Akhil (@I_JoshAkhil) February 9, 2020

Dreams of Australians and Indians fulfilled within those 6 balls. Who would have thought we will see @sachin_rt play in an Aussie jersey in Australia again #BigAppeal #BushfireCricketBash #bushfirebash

â Umair (@imumair10) February 9, 2020

Thank you Australia cricket.. After 5 half years Sachin action in Field.

â satz (@sathishklove007) February 9, 2020

The greatest player ever to wear a Green & Gold !!! #BushfireCricketBash

â M!ts (@Mitsuperstar) February 9, 2020

Just watch carefully , The batting stance of @sachin_rt is same when he scored hundreds as teenager (younger tendulkar) unlike a still (more matured) and high backlift... @Fancricket12 @ManiTweets14 @Vivek7968

â Vishi... (@IamShailabh) February 9, 2020

Most stylish batsman I've ever seen.. what flair.. beautiful!

â Deb (@DebVaani) February 9, 2020

Is there anything else more beautiful than this???

â ج٠بات ÛÛ (@Atif_baig47) February 9, 2020

Windies need Lara back in the team. URGENT !

â Charlie Joe (@CharlieJoe4) February 9, 2020

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