Tendulkar ’simply the best of all time, by some distance’: Parore

WELLINGTON - Former New Zealand keeper Adam Parore has heaped praises on Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar after the cricket legend scored a double ton against South Africa, and described him as the best batsman of the modern era.

Tendulkar is the only person who has the ability score a double century in the history of one-day international cricket, he said.

“When Sachin Tendulkar busted the double-hundred ceiling this week I was surprised in one respect; but not in another. I doubted anyone would get to 200, as Tendulkar did against South Africa. It seemed insurmountable, considering all the factors which must work in the batsman’s favour,” Parore said.

Comparing three modern greats, Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting, Parore said: “In ODIs, Tendulkar is The Man, simply the best of all time, by some distance, and that’s saying something given the class of the other two. But numbers shout out his case.”

“This was his 46th ODI ton in 442 games; Ponting’s made 29 in 340 while Lara got 19 in 299 matches. And his test record is pretty hard to argue with, having accumulated most hundreds and most runs,” NZ Herald quoted Parore, as saying.

“Two players have reached 194. I didn’t see Charles Coventry’s effort for Zimbabwe against Bangladesh, but I saw Saeed Anwar get there for Pakistan against India 13 years ago.

“Anwar was brilliant and that day he was off the planet. He accelerated towards the end of his innings, but Tendulkar seems to have been on the pace the whole way. And he timed it to perfection, reaching 200 in the final over of the innings,” Parore said.

Parore said Tendulkar is an exceptional athlete with remarkable powers of concentration to go with his talent. (ANI)