Tendulkar showed why he is regarded as great: Harris

Image: Sachin Tendulkar
Photographs: Reuters

He grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar play and South African left-arm spinner Paul Harris said the Indian iconic batsman on Sunday showed why he is considered to be one of the greatest cricketers ever.

Congratulate Tendulkar on his 50th Test ton

"I was just 13 years old when Sachin made his debut. Since then I have grown up watching this great cricketer. Today he showed why he is regarded as great," Paul Harris said after Tendulkar notched up his 50th century, scoring an unbeaten 107 in India's second innings.

"He knows his game so well. He has played 175 tests so no one can talk about kind of experience Sachin has got," he added.

'Dhoni, Tendulkar showed real fighting spirit'

Image: India's MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar reacts during the fourth day of their first Test match against South Africa in Pretoria

Harris also praised India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who slammed a useful 106-ball 90 and added 172-run for the seventh wicket with Tendulkar.

-Scorecard

"They showed real fighting spirit which we were expecting of them. Dhoni in particular played a wonderful knock. Test cricket is all about that, taking initiative from the other side. Dhoni did just that. He came out with positive frame of mind and played wonderfully well," he said.

Though Tendulkar completed yet another milestone, India stared at defeat against South Africa as they are still 30 runs behind the hosts' first innings total of 620 for four declared with two wickets in hand.

'We will try to dismiss India as early as possible'

Image: South Africa's Morne Morkel celebrates after picking up Rahul Dravid during the first Test at Centurion

On the fourth day, India finished their second innings at 454 for eight when the heavens opened up in the 123rd over. There are predictions of a thunder storm on Monday.

-Images: Tendulkar's 50th ton lifts India's gloom

However, Harris is not bothered about rain and said South Africa will have enough time to bowl out India to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

"We are not worried about rain. We have plenty of time on our hands. We would have liked to knock them off today," he said.

"On the first day there was kind of a tennis ball bounce on the wicket. Today's wicket was tough to bowl on.

"We will do our best to get those two wickets tomorrow morning and we will try to do that as early as possible," he added.

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