After smashing a superb 171 against England Lions, Sachin Tendulkar
has said he was relieved at spending some time in the middle to go in the upcoming
cricket Test series with a confident frame of mind.
Tendulkar, who is leading the Indians in the three-day warm up match, had not
played cricket since the one-day series against South Africa in Ireland
as he was rested in the first tour match against the Sussex.
"Till yesterday I was a little apprehensive, I wanted
to go out and spend some time in the middle," Tendulkar told reporters
after second day's play yesterday.
"I had reasonable net practise but in the match situation I wanted to
be out there. Conditions are going to be different. I'm relieved I managed to
play more than 200 balls.
"It was important especially because after Ireland we
didn't play cricket at all, it's almost a couple of weeks now. It puts you in
a different frame of mind and it was important that I get back to reality with
the Test matches just 4-5 days away," he said.
India will play a three-Test series against England, beginning
from July 19 at Lord's.
Tendulkar's knock was especially remarkable as it helped Indians
recover from their top order collapse which had left them at 14 for 3 at one
stage in their chase of Lions' 413 for 8 declared.
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