The Little Master......

[Karl102]

Sachin Tendulkar has retired from all cricket after an astonishing 200 test matches. In my opinion he is one of the stylish and best players there has ever been. A friend of mine from university was playing at Yorkshire when he came as their first ever overseas player. He used to say how he would stay and coach the academy juniors (he was only 16 himself) and how even then he was so mature at such a young age.
One of the greatest sportsmen of our generation. !

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Real shame he did not quite make 100 in his last innings, the guy always came a true gent to me and has to go down as one of the greatest ever to me.

In fact to be honest i'm nit sure I can think of a better batsman ever. Viv and Bradman are before my time so hard to judge them.

 

[fundy]

Been a pleasure to watch and always conducted himself impeccably (a growing rarity in sportsmen for sure). Not the best Ive seen (at peak) but probably the best in terms of longevity. All done under under amazing pressure from the most fanatical fans in the cricket world. At peak, Richards and Lara both ahead for sure. Hopefully will be involved in the game in some capacity going forward.

 

[vkurup]

Was glued to the telly on Monday to watch him bat.. His last innings was brilliant and just a reminder of what we will miss. Really unfortunate that he missed out on his ton. Incidental, he is probably the only cricketer whose last games in cricket first class cricket (ranji); IPL; CT20, T20, ODI, WC final have been won by the team. He will be the only legend who has departed with a WIN!!!!!!!

Finally, what a heart rendering farewell speech.. not a dry eye in the stadium (or the country). You can hear it here.. http://youtu.be/TAJTlbo2DRQ

 

[Karl102]

His final knock showed why he's the best.... There was a slow motion of an on drive off Sammy..... Sheer class

 

[vkurup]

His final knock showed why he's the best.... There was a slow motion of an on drive off Sammy..... Sheer class

Nothing can beat his straight drive off Best... the timing, the straight bat and the head position.. simply text book
Found the video of the 200th test.. http://youtu.be/MXMmQ6Z5Hdw (1:24th min)

 

[Bucket92]

Cricketing legend, for me he's the 2nd best batsman of all time. Farewell Sachin.

 

[patricks148]

I always loved when he got out in home games in India and the stadium would empty

 

[Foxholer]

I had the pleasure of watching him in 2 early series in NZ.

He showed the same class in both, though scored nearly as many runs in a single innings of the 2nd series as he did in the entire first one.

Probably the most balanced batsman I've seen - and a great ambassador for the game. His philanthropy and post-game work is/was not widely reported.

 

[tyke]

Absolute legend, without doubt the best batsman of my generation. Was lucky enough to be at Headingley when he made his Yorkshire debut in 1992, you could see then he would become a world beater.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Great player and will be missed. Like all sportsmen, he made it look effortless

 

[Karl102]

Nothing can beat his straight drive off Best... the timing, the straight bat and the head position.. simply text book
Found the video of the 200th test.. http://youtu.be/MXMmQ6Z5Hdw (1:24th min)

That's the one off Sammy I was talking about... I it's not Best. Great link btw....

 

[Karl102]

Cricketing legend, for me he's the 2nd best batsman of all time. Farewell Sachin.

Who's your first? Bradman, Lara or Richards are my guesses...

 

[Bucket92]

Who's your first? Bradman, Lara or Richards are my guesses...

Bradman. Lara a very, very close 3rd. Richards had power and flair, but he's not quite at the top for me. People also don't mention Kallis enough, to be averaging 55 and taking 200+ wickets is unbelievable.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

1. Richards
2. Sachin
3. Lara
4. Kallis
5. Ponting

 

[Deleted member 3432]

Bradman. Lara a very, very close 3rd. Richards had power and flair, but he's not quite at the top for me. People also don't mention Kallis enough, to be averaging 55 and taking 200+ wickets is unbelievable.

Played against Kallis a few months before he made his debut for South Africa, batting class was fairly obvious although we kept him to 50 ish. His bouncer was seriously rapid on a very dead wicket.
Bradman must be way out in front, love Viv Richards swagger, Lara when in the mood was unbelievable and Tendulker just a batting machine.

 

[Bucket92]

Played against Kallis a few months before he made his debut for South Africa, batting class was fairly obvious although we kept him to 50 ish. His bouncer was seriously rapid on a very dead wicket.
Bradman must be way out in front, love Viv Richards swagger, Lara when in the mood was unbelievable and Tendulker just a batting machine.

How did you get to play against Kallis? Bet you've told a few people that story

 

[Deleted member 3432]

How did you get to play against Kallis? Bet you've told a few people that story

He spent a season as pro for a Northern League club, we played them in the county cup. Test players often spent seasons as pro's in various leagues in the north in the days before international cricket became all year round. Many future stars often honed their games this way.

 

[Bucket92]

He spent a season as pro for a Northern League club, we played them in the county cup. Test players often spent seasons as pro's in various leagues in the north in the days before international cricket became all year round. Many future stars often honed their games this way.

Ah yeah of course. Many still do today, that's how Ashton Agar was found before the 1st Ashes test.

 

[Karl102]

Ah yeah of course. Many still do today, that's how Ashton Agar was found before the 1st Ashes test.

The Lancashire League has seen the greats! Richards, the Waugh brothers, Ambrose, Donald to name but a few. Warne played and was not contracted the next season as he didn't score enough runs. He then played the following season in that infamous test at OT where he bowled getting first ball....