IndiaPost.com - Warne backs Tendulkar to score heavily in Australia

MELBOURNE: Sachin Tendulkar might be in the twilight of his career but spin legend Shane Warne believes the master batsman is still a force to reckon with and backed him to score heavily in his last Australian tour.

Warne, who mastered the art of leg spin but failed to solve an enigma called Tendulkar during his illustrious career, warned Australia to write off the "great" player at their own peril. "I don't believe just because he is getting old, he is finished.

Given the conditions, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide are going to be pretty flat, I expect Sachin to get lot of runs", Warne said. "There is no doubt he will play one or two special innings in this Test series. Absolutely no doubt, he will play a couple of unbelievable breathtaking innings.

Warne picked Tendulkar as the greatest contemporary batsman he played against and warned Australia not to ignore him. "He is the best batsman I have played either with or against. You never write off a great player," said Warne as he backed the peerless Indian and the rest of his teammates to score heavily in the next few weeks.

"Two of the Tests are in Sydney and Adelaide. Melbourne has been very, very benign and flat. If you don't take wickets with the new ball, you are in for a long day in the field." Warne said the experienced Indian batting line-up will pile up huge runs, but for getting 20 wickets and winning against the Aussies, India will have to depend on its spinners.

"Can India take 20 wickets? I think it will be down to Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh." "Two of the Tests are in Sydney and Adelaide. They are obviously spinning wickets. They will go in with two spinners and the wickets will help their batting.