Sachin Tendulkar is best player of spin, straight drive: Dean Jones

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's is the best player of spin, with Javed Miandad and Brian Lara a close second, according to former Australian batsman Dean Jones.

He further said that it is not easy to pick the best batsman "I ever saw or played against, but it is easier is to pick the batsmen who played each shot the best."
 
"Tendulkar's ability to move down the pitch or play the ball off the back foot while playing Shane Warne on big turners was the best cricket entertainment anyone could wish for," he said.

Jones, who is a specialist commentator and has played cricket for nearly 28 years, again picked Tendulkar as the best player of straight drive.

Talking about best forward defence, he said Tony Dodemaide was the best followed by Sunil Gavaskar and Tendulkar.

Jones said Tendulkar's technique while defending the ball on back foot is quick, simple and perfect, but Steve Waugh is the best.

Jones termed Gavaskar as the best player of pace, and said: "Gavaskar played against all the great West Indians and hit many hundreds and averaged over 65.

"Sunny never looked rushed and had an awesome defensive part to his game. He used the bowlers' pace very well and never hit a ball with violence. Allan Lamb also played the quicks very well," he added.

He said that no one played a better pull shot than Viv Richards. "Viv was devastating in picking up the length and powered it in front of square leg."

When it comes to cover drive no one can the prowess of Virender Sehwag, who according to Jones is the most watchable batsman playing today.

"Viru can hit it over the top or through the field. He has no conscience when he bats and plays the hardest stroke for any batsman with complete ease. No one ever hits it as sweet as Sehwag. Jamie Siddons was also an awesome player in this area," The Age quoted him, as saying.