NOTTINGHAM, July 29: England's bowling coach Allan Donald paid tribute to his old rival Sachin Tendulkar after the Indian batsman became the third man to pass 11,000 Test runs.

Former South Africa pace bowler Donald, who took 330 wickets in 72 Tests, watched from the England balcony while Tendulkar helped put India in control of the second Test.

Tendulkar, who made 91, now trails only Brian Lara and Allan Border. Tendulkar, at 34, is well placed to surpass the record of the now retired Lara, who finished with 11,912 runs.

“In my era I think he was the best player that I had the pleasure of playing against,” Donald told reporters. “He is something very special, very freakish not only for what he has done for the game but for what he has done for his country.

“There is still a lot more cricket in Sachin, he looks so boyish, it's amazing how long he has stuck it out. He deserves the record because he is such a wonderful and humble guy.”—Reuters