Wednesday, November 14, 2012

England would not show too much respect for Sachin - JamesAnderson


England’s spearhead pacer James Anderson, on Monday urged his teammates not to show too much respect for the iconic India batsman, Sachin Tendulkar in the just to begin four-match Test series against the Men in Blue, starting in Ahmedabad on Thursday, November 15, 2012.
"There has been much talk that this may be Sachin Tendulkar's last Test series," Anderson wrote in his column for the Daily Mail ahead of the four-Test series starting on Thursday. "There is no question in my mind that he has been one of the best batsmen if not the best for 20-odd years. But we have to make sure we do not treat him with too much respect in the middle," the ace Lancashire pacer added further.

The lanky speedster believes admiring the Little Maestro too much would take the competitive edge away from the game.

"I do enjoy bowling against him as testing yourself against the best is what playing at this level is all about," said Anderson. "...you respect him for what he has done in the game...the way he has conducted himself, you want to get him to respect you back," he added further.

Anderson, 30, boasts an impressive record against India, with 45 wickets in ten matches at an average of 29.57. What is most significant is that of those 45 scalps, the gangling seamer has claimed the Master Blaster the most over any other Indian batsman (seven times). Those seven dismissals include three lbw, three caught behind, and one bowled out.

The Indian veteran has had problems with away movements, but more against the ball that comes in. Tendulkar’s recent run of bowled out dismissals, especially against New Zealand will also give the Lancashire speedster some confidence going into the four-Test series against the sub-continent cricketing giants.

England, meanwhile are sweating over the fitness of its two frontline seamers, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn, who are recovering respective heel and thigh injuries. Whilst the former’s chances of making the playing XI for the series opener are still alive, the gangling Middlesex seamer is likely to miss the game, as the England cricket team management does not want to risk his injury.

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