Waugh a better Test batsman than Tendulkar

Former Indian master batsman Sunil Gavaskar rates Australia captain Steve Waugh as a better batsman in modern Test cricket than India's Sachin Tendulkar.

Writing a syndicated column in Australian newspapers on Sunday, Gavaskar said that Waugh was superior because of his ability to deliver the goods for his team in tight situations.

Gavaskar criticised Tendulkar for throwing away his wicket during the second Test won by Zimbabwe in Harare last week, when the hosts squared the two-match series with a four-wicket victory.

Tendulkar, on 69, carved a widish delivery to point to trigger an India collapse on the fourth day. The tourists slipped from the comfortable platform of 197 for three to 234 all out, leaving Zimbabwe with a modest victory target of 157.

"It's time to listen to the Australians, who rate their captain as the best Test batsman in the world for his ability to either win or save matches for his team outside his home environs," Gavaskar wrote.

"It was the batting that let the team (India) down. When batsmen who are set, (who) have done all the hard work, throw their wickets away to loose shots, then the team is never going to put enough runs on the board."

"Why blame VVS Laxman when the best batsman in the universe (Tendulkar) gets a half-century and then gets out, when a big score from him is the crying need of the team."

Mail Cricket Editor