Cape Town: Retired South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis would not rate Sachin Tendulkar as the best batsman he has played against but said the Indian legend has “tremendously” helped in taking the game forward by playing with the right spirit throughout his illustrious career.
“He (Tendulkar) has done a tremendous amount for world cricket and for taking it forward. He played the game hard but always in the right spirit,” Kallis said.
“To achieve what he (Tendulkar) achieved is incredible. I enjoyed my battles against him. I always said I will play this game hard but in the right spirit, that I can (leave aside) the game when I am in a country and have a beer with them. That’s the way he played it (too),” Kallis, who retired from Test cricket last December, was quoted as saying in ‘ESPNcricinfo’.
Kallis, one of the greatest all-rounders to have graced the game, however, picked West Indian Brian Lara as the best batsman he has ever played against.
Asked who are his toughest opponents, Kallis said, “Seamer: Wasim Akram. He had the ability to swing the ball both ways. Spinner: Shane Warne. He controlled the game, he attacked, defended. Batsman: Brian Lara.”
PTI

KR Desk