Retired Australian fast bowler Brett lee, who has waged many a stirring battle against Sachin Tendulkar, on Tuesday rated the Indian legend a notch above West Indies great Brian lara, thus singing a different tune to that of veteran South Africa all-rounder Jaques Kallis.
Asked to compare the two great batsmen, lee said, “I have to say Sachin, because he has that aura when he comes out to bat,” he said at a media conference here.
“I have waged many a battle against him and was lucky enough to get him out more number of times than anyone else in the world. But I was also on the receiving end of many hundreds — like the hundred (116) he got at Melbourne in 1999 and the many hundreds he has scored against us all around the world. When you play against Sachin you somehow (have to) find a way to give that little bit extra,” said lee.
“When I played my first Test at Melbourne as a 23-year-old fresh faced kid from the bush, I am looking at this guy resembling Sachin Tendulkar. He was tiny, his bat was this big,” said the 37-year-old former pace bowler, who grabbed 690 wickets in Tests and ODIs combined.
“I thought to myself ‘this is the guy I want to play against’. I was pinching myself it was not a dream. I thought I can ask him for an autograph rather than bowl to him. It’s strange when you get to play against someone who was the hero as you were growing up. It was a huge opportunity and I had a lot of opportunities to play against him,” added lee.
lee’s assessment of Tendulkar was at variance with that of Kallis, who two days ago, was quoted as saying that lara was the best batsman he has ever played against. Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders to have graced the game, however, described Tendulkar’s achievements as incredible.
‘India need 140-kmph bowlers for 2015 World Cup’
Wishing for a match-up between his home country Australia and title holders India in the 2015 ICC World Cup final, retired fast bowler Brett lee today said the defending champions’ biggest task would ahead of the mega-event would be to find pacers who can bowl at 140-kph.
“An Australia-India final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be fantastic and incredible. There will be a full house. India have very good batsmen and great spinners.
“But they need to find bowlers who can bowl at 140kph. India need to really show they have dominating fast bowlers as the wickets will be fast and bouncy. For them to put their best foot forward they have to find fast bowlers,” he said at a media conference organised by Tourism Victoria here.
MCG would host the final of the ICC World Cup, of which lee is a brand ambassador as well as of Victoria Tourism, on March 29. Cricket’s showpiece event, to be held in Australia and New Zealand, kicks off on February 14.
lee gave a lot of credit to left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson for the turnaround in the Australian team’s fortunes after they suffered a humiliating defeat in the Ashes series in England and also whitewashed by hosts India last year.
“It’s simple. Australia will be hosting the World Cup in 2015 and we should be ready for that. Mitchell Johnson has been outstanding and has led the turnaround with his moustache. He has been fast and aggressive and has changed the face of Australian cricket,” he said.
“Added to that is (wicketkeeper-batsman) Brad Haddin and coach Darren lehmann who makes the players more comfortable. Australia has been a lot more confident. They have played some great cricket and look a fantastic side,” said lee, who took a total of 690 wickets in Tests and ODIs before retiring from both formats.
The speedster praised the Indian Premier league for the revival in Johnson’s fortunes after he looked lost to Australian cricket. “He played for Mumbai Indians in IPl which provided him the opportunity (last season) to bowl fast and under pressure. He impressed everyone in Australia by bowling fast again and developing his game.”
lee praised India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his deputy Virat Kohli for leading the team from the front.