India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday came in for contrasting reviews in the British media with one suggesting that he is not the force he is at home while another describing him as the finest cricketer since Don Bradman.
"India's master batsman is not the force he is at home" wrote Jon Henderson in the Observer in his article headlined "tourist Tendulkar a mere mortal."
Concurring with Sunil Gavaskar's observation that Sachin Tendulkar is an underachiever for the team overseas, Henderson observed: "It is, of course, understandable for a player to be more prolific in conditions he is familiar with, and in this Tendulkar is no exception. He clearly copes well with the extraordinary adulation at home - even in Tests."
Describing him as the Best batsman in the World, Tim Adams wrote in the Observer Sport Monthly: "Sachin Tendulkar was a handy player at the age of five. He's even better now."
He said "In India, Sachin Tendulkar is the brightest of stars, a hero whose epic deeds have stirred a nation and whose status is close to deity. To the rest of us, he is the finest cricketer since Don Bradman."
Veteran fast bowler Waqar Younis will captain Pakistan in the next three one-day series, and can expect to be at the helm for next year's World Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) normally names the captain one series at a time, but changed its policy because of a tight schedule that sees series in Morocco, Kenya and Sri Lanka.
"I am sure Waqar will do a capable job for the next three tournaments," said PCB Chairman Tauqir Zia.
"So far he has been very impressive in motivating and gelling the other players together since being named captain last year."
The appointment would take Pakistan through to the end of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka which ends in late September.
Zia said the PCB would not appoint Waqar as captain until next year's World Cup in South Africa because it wanted the option of regularly reviewing his performance.
Michael Slater looks back at last season and describes himself as a pressure-pot waiting to explode.
With his marriage break-up the subject of public discussion and the runs drying up, the former Test opener's career suffered an ugly derailment.
He lost his ACB contract, his place in the NSW side and blew his stack after being felled by a bouncer in grade cricket.
A two-month commentary stint in England and long periods of "reflection" have Slater primed to reproduce his best form this summer.
"I've never been through a situation like I have the last 12 to 18 months," Slater said.
"I've been through some issues in that time that a lot of other people go through, but in a profiled life everything is more 'out there'.
"And if you are a fairly sensitive person, it builds up and you become a pressure-pot. I reacted in a couple of instances, like the grade game last year, in a way that is totally out of character.
"Unfortunately that's what people have probably been talking about - 'why don't we see that smile anymore?'