Saluting their achievements - Tendulkar and Morgan

Not long ago Sachin Tendulkar cemented his place as arguable the greatest ever batsman with the first double century in a 50 overs game. Just this week Eoin Morgan emerged as a bright new talent with a brilliant century against Bangladesh for England. Cricket, it seems, is getting stronger and stronger.

Tendulkar’s double century against South Africa in a one dayer was a joy to watch. That MS Dhoni almost stole his opportunity by blazing a fantastic innings himself only added to the tension. Stuck on 199 with Dhoni on strike going into the final over of the game one couldn’t help wonder if this was going to be a disappointment. Especially when Dhoni smashed the first ball for six.

But we needn’t have worried. Dhoni hit a tame single after dealing almost exclusively in boundaries previously to allow Tendulkar to hit a simple single himself to reach the 200 target. Already viewed by many as the greatest ever, Tendulkar has more runs in one day and Test cricket than anyone. This new record only cements his place amongst the greats.

Then we have an emerging talent in former Irish international turned England international, Eoin Morgan. He’s already hit some nice knocks in his brief career, but with England teetering on the brink of a somewhat embarrassing defeat to Bangladesh Morgan stepped in to hit was was described on Sky Sports as a world class innings.

His final total was 110 not out, the winning runs came from a six and it seemed that he didn’t even notice he’d hit his ton, so focussed on getting England home was he. It turned out later that the scoreboard hadn’t been kept up to date so he didn’t know…shame, but still, takes nothing away from the achievement.

Morgan is just 24, Tendulkar pushing 37 but for those worried about the future of the game – and it has seemed in jeopardy in recent years – both these innings should give a sense of relief. While there are greats and rising young stars any sport has a future and cricket is no different. Innings such as these draw interest and interest could and should be enduring, safeguarding cricket for many more years to come.

Sporting Fare, in the meantime, congratulates the world’s greatest living batsman and will be keeping a very close eye on England’s new star.

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