Tendulkar is a great ambassador of the game: Smith

SMITH-TENDULKAR

Fakir Hassen
Johannesburg, Dec 14 (PTI) South Africa captain Graeme
Smith had termed Sachin Tendulkar as "great ambassador of the
game" and said his desire to become a cricketer got wings
after watching the Indian batting maestro during his
childhood.
Smith was a 11-year-old kid when Tendulkar first toured
the Rainbow nation following the country's readmission to the
international fold after decades of isolation because of
apartheid.
But on Thursday, Smith will lead South Africa in the
first Test against India at Centurion in what could well be
Tendulkar's last tour to the country.
"He (Tendulkar) is a world class player and a great
ambassador for the game," Smith said as he reminisced at an
official reception for the Indian cricket team here last
night.
"As a youngster I watched the games and that's where all
my dreams started. You see the players (like Tendulkar) on TV
and you think that I want to be like that one day, and here we
are," he said.
India is presently touring South Africa for three Tests,
five ODIs and one-off Twenty20 International.
Smith also lauded former South Africa opener and now
India coach Gary Kirsten, saying he commands great respect in
the cricketing fraternity.
"Gary (Kirsten) was one of my heroes while I was growing
up, so obviously it was great to get the opportunity to play
with him," he said.
"He's a guy that I respect a hell of a lot and I'm sure
the Indian team itself respects him. That respect will also go
onto the field. It's about playing well for South Africa, but
that respect will always be there," the Protea skipper added.
India speedster S Sreesanth too was full of praise for
his coach.
"He's (Kirsten) been a great motivator and a great friend
to each and every player," Sreesanth said.
Sreesanth described as "spot on" Kirsten's recent comment
that India could be a world class team only if they beat South
Africa on their home turf.
Sreesanth spoke for the Indian team during the function
after captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to send the Kerela
speedster up on the dais to join Smith.
He also said India will be benefited in the series by
some of its players' previous experience of playing in South
African conditions.
"I did not play play in the Champions League but other
team members have played. They know how to acclimatise with
the conditions.
"Dhoni lead Chenai Super Kings to Champions League title
here earlier this year and he had also helped us in our
preparation," Sreesanth said. PTI FH
SMT


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