CRICKET FUNDA

Andrew Flintoff rated Sachin Tendulkar's second innings Test century at Chennai against England as the batting maestro's career-best on Monday and termed his words of gratitude to the visitors for returning to India to play the series after the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai as a extremely touching gesture. 

"The one that he scored in Chennai after the 26/11 attack in Mumbai," the 33-year-old former England all-rounder said when asked about the best century scored by the champion batsman in Test cricket. 

"We flew back and it was decided that we will play in Chennai. England were in a great position. And we thought we are going to win the Test match. But Sachin had other ideas. He scored a hundred. I am never good at losing. However, at that instance it was fitting that Sachin, who was from Mumbai, hit the winning runs," he said. 

"The best thing is after the game he thanked everyone of the English players for coming back to India. That was quite a poignant moment for me and rest of the boys," he said after interacting with aspiring cricketers in a promotional event. 

The England team returned home midway through the seven-match ODI series following the three-day terrorist siege of Mumbai before retuning to India to resume the tour and play in the Test series. 

Saluting Tendulkar's longevity in the game, Flintoff wished the batsman many more years of international cricket ahead. 

"He's an amazing man and a successful player. To play for so long as he has and to score so many runs as he has is amazing. He is somebody I have come to respect. I remember I had come to play for Lancashire Under-13. And he was making his Test debut. He was only four years older than me. But he has been playing since then. 

"I wanted to get him out. I wanted to impress him, get his respect. Good luck to him. Hope he doesn't stop at 50 (centuries) and goes on and on and on. He's been a good ambassador for the game," he added. 

On Tendulkar's comparison with legendary cricketer Don Bradman, he said, "Never played against Bradman. I don't know. It is wrong in sport to compare heroes. In modern day cricket, Sachin is the best." 

Flintoff said while the retirement of some of greats of the current crop of Indian cricketers would create a hole in the team, the country need not be bothered about it yet. 

"It is a big question. I think (especially) when they are still playing and Sachin (Tendulkar) is in the peak of his life, isn't he? He keeps scoring runs. He could carry on for a long time. 

"But you could possibly like Australia had (Matthew) Hayden, (Justin) Langer, ( Adam) Gilchrist, (Glenn) McGrath, (Shane) Warne all finished at the same time. It does leave a hole in the side and needs rebuilding process. 

"However, India are number one and playing fantastically well. I reckon they can carry on for as long as possible," he added. 

When it came to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Flintoff rated the hosts as favourites for the event.

"I think the sub-continent sides are the favourites - India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka because of the conditions. However, England have also got a chance. Can't really count out Australia. But again I think India are going to be the favourites on home soil. 

"But they are under pressure as Indians expect India to do well all the time and that could be a daunting task," he said. 

Flintoff said though India were favourites, because of their number one tag in Test matches, facing the hosts in home condition would be a tough challenge in their forthcoming series against South Africa.