I can't fox Sachin, says wily Murali

JOHANNESBURG, March 9 AFP - Sri Lanka's star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan will not target Sachin Tendulkar in Monday's World Cup Super Sixes clash against India at the Wanderers here.

He does not know how to do it.

Muralitharan, voted Wisden's best bowler ever in the history of the game, conceded it was not easy to bowl to the Indian maestro.

"You just can't fox Sachin," the wily off-spinner said after his team's nets on Sunday.

"He reads the ball so early. The class in him comes out when he picks the ball as soon as it is delivered from the bowler's hand.

"It's always a challenge to bowl to Tendulkar and the other Indian batsmen.

"You just can't target any one batsman. They are all so good. My aim will be to keep a tight check on the Indians.

"If I can pick up 4-5 wickets and help Sri Lanka win, I will be very happy."

Tendulkar, one-day cricket's leading batsman, and Muralitharan form a mutual admiration society.

When the duo met at the opening ceremony of the World Cup at Cape Town last month, Muralitharan walked up to Tendulkar and said: "I hope you get four or five centuries in the tournament.

Tendulkar responded: "That is if you allow me to. I hope you get 30 wickets."

Muralitharan has so far taken 13 wickets in seven matches, three behind the leading tally of 16 by team-mate Chaminda Vaas and West Indian Vasbert Drakes.

Tendulkar is the top scorer in the tournament with 474 runs, which includes a 152 against Namibia, 98 off 75 balls against Pakistan and three other half-centuries.