Sachin Tendulkar deserves Order of Australia, says Adam Gilchrist

Former wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has backed the Australian  government's decision to honour Indian cricket star Sachin Tendulkar  with the Membership of the Order of Australia.

Gilchrist said Tendulkar has helped in forging relations between the two countries.

"The discussion around his award and the variety of opinion shows the amazing profile that Tendulkar has. Credit to Sachin to have the place he has held in both the countries.  He has forged 22-years of relation between the two countries," Gilchrist told reporters at the University of Wollongong conference.

"I was able to send him a quick message and was thrilled to receive one back (from him) saying 'welcome to the club', because it was the same honour that I was very fortunate to receive. It (the award) is a mark of respect to a great man," he was quoted as saying by PTI.