Fast bowling great Dennis Lillee paid the biggest compliment to Sachin Tendulkar terming the Indian maestro as the greatest batsman to have ever played cricket.
“Sachin is a very humble man. He is the greatest player and batsman to have ever played. He just amazes me on many counts, his eye for the game, hunger for the game and continued success,” said the 62-year-old Australian pace bowling legend.
Lillee first spotted Tendulkar in the late 80s at the Chennai-based MRF Pace Foundation when the Mumbai-born had turned up to become a fast bowler.
“I actually feel very embarrassed because I rejected him as a fast bowler,” said Lillee, who will be ending his association with the Pace Foundation this season after 25 years of service.
“I think I did him and the game of cricket a favour. I am just joking, but I will never forget (the incident),” he added.
Lillee, the Pace Foundation’s coaching director, advised a young Tendulkar to focus on his batting instead of bowling. “When he came back a year later he was just 15 years or so. I was there behind the nets. The first ball Sachin faced he hit it behind the bowler for a four. Sachin flicked the next ball for a four as well. The bowlers were not able to get Sachin and he was hitting them out of the park.
“When he was still batting with about 48 runs or so from 12 balls, I asked (the then head coach and former India pacer) T A Sekar who is this boy? Sekar laughed and replied ‘you should know him, he is the boy whom you rejected when he wanted to become a fast bowler’.
“I was fortunate enough to see him before he made it to Test cricket and lucky enough to recognise him as the world’s best.”
Lillee has always been a big admirer of the Indian’s batting abilities once even remarking: “If I’ve to bowl to Sachin, I’ll bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.”
Reflecting upon his stint at the Pace Foundation, Lillee rated Zaheer Khan as the best India bowler, ahead of cricketer-turned-match referee Javagal Srinath. “To me number one is Zaheer Khan and number two is Srinath. As for Venkatesh Prasad I had always thought that he is going to be a Test player.
“Irfan (Pathan), R P Singh and S Sreesanth were promising but sometimes I used to be disappointed with Munaf (Patel). Munaf is one bowler who used to bowl at 150 plus but someone had suggested him to slow down. He had some natural gifts. Not many people are bestowed with such attributes.”
Lillee also said that he was never on the same page with the Indian cricket board. The Australian said that he loves to do things his way and that might be a reason why the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) never utilised his knowledge in the best possible manner.
“It was disappointing for me personally. You have got to remember that I have the same relationship with the Cricket Australia too. I do not do anything unless I do them my way. I do not want other people pushing things on me,” Lillee insisted.
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