June 15, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1429

LONDON, June 14: Australian captain Ricky Ponting might have joined the 10,000-run-club, but he has no comparison with India’s master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is technically correct and caught imagination of public over the years, former England Test batsman Geoff Boycott said.

Boycott said he considers Ponting as the world’s best batsman at present, but he had not reached the all-time status enjoyed by his fellow modern-day greats — Tendulkar and West Indian Brian Lara.

“Lara and Tendulkar are iconic figures, which is about more than being just a terrific player. They have captured the imagination of public.

“They haven’t just scored runs. Lara twice got record of most Test runs and he still holds record of the highest score in Test cricket. Those are huge figures. And, way he bats is just very special,” the Daily Telegraph quoted the outspoken Boycott as saying.

“Tendulkar is technically correct against all kinds of bowlers and the way he took Shane Warne apart when he came to India makes him more than just a terrific player. Sorry, I don’t think Ponting is in the same league as Lara or Tendulkar,” Boycott reckoned.

About Ponting, he added: “Ponting is a top-class player and I think most people would vote him as the best player over the last couple of years.”

During the second Test against West Indies in Antigua, Ponting became the seventh player to pass 10,000 Test run mark. He is also just fourth player — along with recently retired West Indian Lara, and Indian duo Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid — to reach 10,000 runs in both Test and limited-overs cricket.—Agencies