Tendulkar prefers to 'see me off' - McGrath

Glenn McGrath has warmed up for his 100th Test by claiming that Sachin Tendulkar is reluctant to play shots against him and prefers to "see me off". Steve Waugh had once written in a newspaper column that Tendulkar went into his shell against McGrath, whose unwavering line and length makes it difficult for any batsman to score freely off him. McGrath, who has dismissed Tendulkar five times - more than any other bowler - was quick to agree.

"Over the past four or five years I've noticed that he's actually not prepared to play as many shots against me and has preferred to basically just see me off," McGrath said. "When a guy of his calibre is doing that, I'll take it as a pretty big compliment." McGrath said his plan to Tendulkar was to build the pressure and not give him any easy runs. "He's a class player, there's no doubt about it - a guy who loves playing his shots and loves scoring runs."

The third Test has whipped India into a frenzy because of the return from injury of Tendulkar, who averages 57.71 against Australia, and scored unbeaten knocks of 241 and 60 against an attack missing McGrath at Sydney in January 2004.

McGrath will become the eighth Australian, and the country's first fast bowler, to play 100 Tests. In a career highlighted by consistently superb performances in all conditions against all batsmen, McGrath's lowlights have been periods of surliness on the field that have attracted a large amount of criticism and occasional fines from the ICC.

Asked if he had any regrets McGrath said: "Some days when I get a bit heated. I see the replays on TV and even I cringe a bit when I see that. It's probably good for me to see it. It makes me want to pull my head in a bit. But all I can say is I've given 100% every game."