Tendulkar zooms to ICC ODI third spot after historic innings   - Agencies

Dubai, Feb 25: Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday jumped three places to third in the ICC ODI batsmen rankings after his record-breaking double-century against South Africa while India are almost assured of USD 75,000 for ending the calendar year at number two position in the championship table. Tendulkar (766 points), who returned undefeated on 200 in his 442nd appearance at Gwalior yesterday, now trails second-placed Mike Hussey (809) of Australia by 43 points with Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (827) strengthening his position at the top of the rankings after hitting a 35-ball 68 not out against South Africa in the second ODI. It is Tendulkar's highest ranking in two years after he had reached second position following an unbeaten 117 against Australia in Sydney.

Tendulkar greatest, happy he broke my record: Anwar   - Agencies

Karachi, Feb 25: Describing Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batsman of modern era, former Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar hailed the Indian maestro for breaking his ODI batting record and becoming the only player to smash a double century in the limited-overs cricket. Anwar said he was not surprised that Tendulkar had broken his record of the highest individual score (194) in one-dayers when he scored 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior on Wednesday.
"Honestly speaking Brian Lara seemed to me the most likely to break the record but he retired without doing it but he set his records in test and first class cricket," said Anwar who had scored earlier record 194 against India in Chennai in May 1997. "I am happy Tendulkar has done it because he is certainly the greatest batsman of the modern era. His feats speak for themselves," he added. Anwar recalled how Tendulkar had congratulated him when he scored the 194 in the Independence Cup.

Tendulkar greatest batsman I have seen: Clarke   - Agencies

Wellington, Feb 25: Australia's Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke rates Sachin Tendulkar is the best batsman he has ever seen and said he is not really surprised to see the iconic Indian smashing the first double century in the history of one-day cricket. "His record speaks for itself. I can't say I'm surprised," said Clarke, who is here for Australian team's tour of New Zealand.
"He's probably the greatest batsman I've ever seen play, live," Clarke was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press (AAP). Tendulkar's unbeaten 200 at Gwalior was a batting master class that flattened South Africa and India won by 153 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
"I didn't watch any of it but I'd like to get back this afternoon and see some highlights," said Clarke, ahead of Australia's first Twenty20 match against New Zealand.