Tendulkar is a thorn in the flesh: Ponting
4 March 2001

Dashing Australian batsman Ricky Ponting said on Sunday it was Sachin Tendulkar whom the Aussies targeted in each innings and termed the crucial catch of the batting maestro in the second innings of the Mumbai Test as "probably the best" of his career.

"He is a class batsman... a thorn in the flesh for us...it is he who we target in each innings," the firebrand fielder said of Tendulkar. Ponting was in New Delhi along with teammate and fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz to promote Foster's - the official beer for the Australian 2001 tour of India.

Of the spectacular catch - which Ponting took after it ricocheted off Justin Langer's shoulder - the Ausssie said, "it was probably the best ever... given the circumstances. It (Sachin's wicket) was a major breakthrough for us."

On a lighter note, Ponting who was out on a duck in the first innings, said, "I think I have taken more catches than scored runs in my career."

Right-arm seamer Kasprowicz, to be seen in action in the March 6-8 three-dayer against Board President'd XI after missing out the Mumbai Test, said he would "use the opportunity to boost his contention for the March 11-15 Kolkata Test".

"I was out in Mumbai because of the Australian policy to rest players. Now, I have got a great opportunity....it's going to be great fun," the Queenslander said. "I have actually been batting better than bowling, so I might get a chance in the Test," Kasparowicz quipped.

© PTI