The Analyst: Little Master cruelly denied

[King]

Sachin Tendulkar's expression after he'd been given out lbw on 91 said a thousand words. Initially there was surprise at the decision that merged into disbelief and then to shock, writes Simon Hughes. More... The Analyst: Little Master cruelly denied By Simon Hughes Last Updated: 2:10am BST 30/07/2007 Have your say Read comments In pics: Indian batsmen in buoyant mood Video: The Analyst at the Test Trent Bridge scorecard Sachin Tendulkar's expression after he'd been given out lbw on 91 said a thousand words. Initially there was surprise at the decision that merged into disbelief and then to shock. Dismay became despair at the realisation of what umpire Simon Taufel had done. All that meticulous preparation and studious defence and fastidious tending of the pitch and careful accumulation, banished by one cruel finger. Tendulkar claims he is not motivated by statistics, but he would not be human if he didn't crave a first meaningful century for 18 months and quell the murmurs of a great batsman in decline. A rare error by the normally outstanding Taufel rudely denied him the landmark that four hours and 20 minutes of faultless concentration deserved. But if there was empathy with Tendulkar, the man meriting the most sympathy yesterday was Ryan Sidebottom. Rarely can someone have bowled so immaculately for such scant reward. Using the experience of 10 years in county cricket plying his trade, he chugged in to nag away relentlessly on and around the off stump, continually beating the bat and creating uncertainty. His duel with Tendulkar was engrossing. On a predominantly cloudless day, the ball swung less prodigiously than it has for Sidebottom in past matches, but still the Little Master was wary of getting his front foot too far across in case a delivery ducked back in late. As a result he sometimes poked away from his body when a ball went straight on. Because of Tendulkar's felicitous touch and obvious respect for the bowler the resultant edges never carried to the slips. Derek Pringle: England struggle to turn the tide Martin Johnson:Chris Tremlett's tough-guy act fails Mark Nicholas:Savour moments of Tendulkar's genius Sidebottom's reactions at such injustices were equally captivating. He hung his head theatrically, grimaced, cursed, smiled wryly, bared his teeth, kicked an imaginary dog, jabbed an imaginary punch bag and did an irate tap-dance on his follow-through. In fact he exhibited such a gamut of vivid emotions that, with his Shakespearean locks, he could put in for a season at Stratford-upon-Avon once his cricket is finished. It's best to be philosophical as a bowler and remember that there are days when you bowl tripe and take wickets. Sidebottom heeded that and never appeared to get frustrated, turning on his heel after each wail of disappointment and marching smartly back to his mark to bowl the next one. Once he even gave his tormentor Tendulkar an affectionate hug. He offered the Indians nothing to hit: his control was exemplary. By early afternoon he had bowled 12 overs for only nine runs. Perhaps if he had supplied the batsmen the occasional juicy morsel and they had emerged from their protective bubble to play an expansive shot, a wicket might have materialised. But that is pure conjecture. Exhibiting encouraging masochistic tendencies Sidebottom was still keenly marching up from long leg four hours into the day, hair unkempt, trousers smudged in green and red, to rumble in for another over from the Pavilion End, each one applauded with increasing admiration by his home crowd. They knew he deserved a wicket and were willing him on. It was sod's law that James Anderson, who has bowled less consistently in this match and leaked 22 boundaries to Sidebottom's six, should be the man to strangle Sourav Ganguly down the leg side. Finally, five minutes before tea, it came. Another swerving delivery, another uncertain thrust of the bat (MS Dhoni's) and this time an edge that carried to the keeper. The celebration contained enough ecstasy to keep a bunch of Nottingham clubbers going for hours. If the batsmen could emulate Sidebottom's levels of dedication and wholeheartedness, England could still get out of this one.

[King]

There you go the English media reckons the same, Tendulkar was hard done by.

[Chandan]

Anyone who doesn't reckon so, either does not know about cricket or is not in his senses!!

[King Tendulkar]

The best thing about it was his reaction. As litearlly 1 minute after dismiisal he was smiling and laughing on the balcony having an ice cream without a care in the world. That was the moment of the summer, briiliant reaction, pure class!

[living]

The best thing about it was his reaction. As litearlly 1 minute after dismiisal he was smiling and laughing on the balcony having an ice cream without a care in the world. That was the moment of the summer' date=' briiliant reaction, pure class![/quote'] I agree, partly because he knew it wasn't in his control. Compare that to what he did after his Chennai innings :cry_smile: We all can learn so much from him, not only his cricket but also the manner in which he lives his great life.

[anbuchelvan]

Sachin will have no reason getting disappointed.Because he is pretty sure that the Australien umpires will lift the finger if the ball makes a sound and the bowler appeals.Lucky for him Buckner is not afficiating.

[Donny]

The best thing about it was his reaction. As litearlly 1 minute after dismiisal he was smiling and laughing on the balcony having an ice cream without a care in the world. That was the moment of the summer' date=' briiliant reaction, pure class![/quote'] If only some of his fans could act the same way. Ganguly: "Some go your way, some go against"

[King Tendulkar]

If only some of his fans could act the same way. Ganguly: "Some go your way, some go against"

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