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Move aside the Glenn McGraths and Muttiah Muralitharans, the only bowler who has tested Sachin Tendulkar to an extent that the Indian batting icon "didn't know what to do" while facing him was stunningly the late Hansie Cronje!

The ex-South African captain, who died in a plane crash after being banned for match-fixing, was the one man Tendulkar found hard to deal with and bowling technique had nothing to do with it.

"Honestly. I got out to Hansie more than anyone. When we played South Africa he always got me out more than Allan Donald or Shaun Pollock. It wasn't that I couldn't pick him - it's just that the ball seemed to go straight to a fielder," Tendulkar told 'The Guardian'.

Cronje, primarily a middle-order batsman, was efficient with his medium pace fetching 43 wickets in 68 Tests and 114 ODI wickets in 188 matches before his spectacular fall from grace owing to the 2000 match-fixing scandal in which he was the prime accused. He died in a plane crash in 2002.

Tendulkar said facing Cronje was always a tricky proposition for him.

"I was going great guns in Durban one year and played some big shots against Donald and Pollock. Hansie came on and I flicked his first ball straight to leg-slip. I never knew what to do with him," he said.

Tendulkar once again named McGrath as the best fast bowler he ever faced and despite dominating Shane Warne, the Indian icon considered the Aussie to be the best spinner he came across.

"I did OK against him (McGrath). But, among the spinners, Warne at his best was still something special," he said.

The 37-year-old batsman, who has spent over 20 years in international cricket, is often compared to Sir Don Bradman and Tendulkar recalled some special moments he spent with the late Australian legend.

"We went to see him on his 90th birthday. It was very special. We were talking about averages and I said, 'Sir Don, if you were playing today, what would you have averaged?' And he said, '70 - probably.' I asked, 'Why 70 and not your actual average of 99?' Bradman said, 'Come on, an average of 70 is not bad for a 90-year-old man.'

"This is what I tell my son. Whether you're an 11-year-old boy or Don Bradman we should never forget it's just a game we can all enjoy."

His passion for the sport is well-documented and Tendulkar said even after spending over two decades in the international arena, he tries to re-invent himself.

"I'm really focusing now on how I can get to the next level as a batsman. How can I get even more competitive? How can I get even more consistent? How can I get better?, Tendulkar pointed out.

The diminutive batsman said going past the 14,000 runs mark earlier this year was one of the big moments of his career but he never lets the thoughts of achieving milestones overshadow what is actually required of him in a match situation.

"It was a big moment...But I was most aware of the match situation," said the right-hander who had arrived at the wicket with India 38 for two in reply to Australia's first innings of 478.

"And then it flashed on the big screen that I needed eight runs to reach 14,000. Every run I scored was cheered. But when I needed two I hit a boundary. I was happy but I thought, 'right, now we can get back to focusing on cricket', because everyone had become too worried about those eight runs. It had taken away my focus."

"Yes. Obviously, going past Brian Lara was something special. But I'm even happier now and hopefully it continues."

Talking about the changing face of the game, Tendulkar said Australia are in decline after retirements of their heavyweights.

"To not have (Matthew) Hayden, (Justin) Langer, ( Adam) Gilchrist, (Glenn) McGrath, (Shane) Warne - it's a big loss. They still have some world-class players but their batting revolves around (Ricky) Ponting. When you want to create a vacuum in their batting you need to get Ponting," he said.

Tendulkar feels given Australia's loss of aura, England are serious contenders to lift the Ashes this time.

"I think England have a better chance. I favour them slightly. I would say (Eoin) Morgan could be the key performer in the Ashes. Morgan and (Graeme) Swann," he said.

"He (Morgan) is a very solid player who can control the pace of his innings. He can become a really good Test batsman even though he has only played a few Tests so far. After Morgan you've got the experience of (Andrew) Strauss, (Paul) Collingwood and Pietersen. They're a really well-balanced side and this is a great opportunity for England," he added.

India is one of the co-hosts of next year's World Cup and Tendulkar said the pressure would be of an altogether different level.

"It's going to be massive. Everyone in India is looking forward to a mega tournament and although people haven't started talking yet about 1983 (the last time India won the World Cup) it will happen soon. But, given our recent form, people have a right to be excited and have extremely high hopes," he said.

Australian Open 2009 turned out very special for Indians and Spanish. Nadal stopping Federer from reaching the ultimate heights. Verdaso, without any doubt turned out a real star with the everlasting fight with Nadal, which lasted for over five hours of highest quality tennis. Nadal did earn his place in the finals though helped by his Spanish mate by making two double faults when it mattered the most.

Indians too had a great time during this Australian Summer. Mahesh Bhupathi though he lost in men's doubles' final, he made it up by winning the mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza.

The one true revelation of this grand slam is the boy  from India who won The Australian Open Junior's title along with came the No.1 ranking in Juniors.

YUKI BHAMBRI, the 15 year kid who turned to 1 million expectations with a kiss of the Trophy. The beauty about him is that he knows nothing comes easy and is prepared to do whatever he can to bring 1 million aspirations alive. He didn't have any sponsors and had only his coach to accompany him to Australia as his family cannot afford a stay in Australia for the time span of Australian Open. In all these hardships and being alone so away from home and huge expectations resting on his shoulders, did he deliver the knocking punch into World Tennis. He is coming. A boy who knows not to give up and knows nothing comes easy. He surely is the future prospect of India. I am pretty confident that he is the next legend that the world will admire and he would turn hundreds of kids from India to take up the sport known as "TENNIS". He would change the dynamics of the GAME and probably be the best that world has ever known. Winning a grand slam would be his first objective when he reach Professional Tennis surely but already 1 million dreams him to be the next Pete Sampras to rule the Tennis Kingdom.

The twenty20 World Cup new Schedule, Teams and Groups has been announced for 2009 twenty20 world cup which will be played in England. In 2009 twenty20 world cup the total 27 number of matches will be played which is same as 2007 world cup but the period is longer than the previous edition.

2009 twenty20 world cup will be played from 5th of June to 21st June 2009. Opening game will be played between host England and the twenty20 world qualifier runners-up Ireland.

During meeting on 20th August 2008 Zimbabwe Cricket board confirmed that they will not take part in twenty20 World Cup 2009. That means Scotland which are placed 3rd during twenty20 world qualifier will now play the twenty20 world cup.

Total 12 teams : India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Ireland and Netherlands will participate in 2009 twenty20 cup.

The ICC has also announced top two ranked teams in each group and given them a number 1 and 2 respectively. They will retain this number irrespective of whether they finish first or second in the group.

For example if Bangladesh top ranked Group A and India finished second in the same group; India will still remain as A1 and Bangladesh will remain as A2 in Super Eights stages.If Ireland knockout Bangladesh in Group A then Ireland will become A2.

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