Tendulkar back on road to recovery

Sachin Tendulkar had his first jog this week in almost two months. It happened in Johannesburg that the world's top batsman ran for only six minutes - but it was enough to lift his spirits on a tough road to recovery that he hopes will lead to greater success on South African fields.

In seeking to find relief for a nagging foot injury that has laid him low since early in July, India's "Little Master" - the only current cricketer considered good enough to be included in the late Sir Donald Bradman's alltime best XI - came to South Africa where he has spent the past four days in the care of orthopaedic surgeon Dr Mark Ferguson at the Rosebank Centre for Sports Medicine in Johannesburg.

Within a couple of days of his arrival, special orthotics were designed by Johannesburg podiatrist Frank Dubowitz and fitted into Tendulkar's shoes to provide the correct support and cushioning. The critical area is the ball of his right foot which has not mended properly from a hairline fracture suffered while scoring a great match-winning century in a one-day international against West Indies in Harare.

Unfortunately an X-ray taken at the time revealed no problem and Tendulkar was given the go-ahead to play in the final of the triangular tournament a few days later. As it turned out, this proved to be both the undoing of both the Indian team and their star player.

Before returning home to Mumbai, Tendulkar - who currently averages 57.18 in Test cricket - spoke of his great desire to be fit in time for India's tour of South Africa which starts in October.

In an interview with Rodney Hartman, communications director of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Tendulkar, scorer of 25 centuries in his 84 test matches, said: "I tried out the orthotics during a six-minute jog. The medical opinion is that I should get back into training very gradually and we are hoping for the best. Once I'm back home I will start with three or four-minute runs and then begin some net practices. I haven't picked up a bat for the past seven weeks."

Tendulkar said his spirits had been raised with his visit to Johannesburg. "I know that injury is part and parcel of the game but it has been a bit disheartening knowing that the injury has not healed properly. I was very relieved to hear that I do not need surgery. I am now keeping my fingers crossed that I will be fit for the South African tour and I promise that I will be trying very hard to be ready.

"South Africa is a lovely place to tour. The cricket played here is very tough."

India do not have a good record against South Africa but Tendulkar, their former captain, believes that a very promising young side will visit this country for three Tests and a series of limited overs internationals in October-November. "The average age of our team is 24 and all they need is the opportunity of playing more together and gaining more experience."

Tendulkar said South Africans should enjoy the batting of 22 year old Virender Shewag who, while opening the Indian innings in the absence of the injured superstar during this month's triangular limted overs tournament in Sri Lanka, hit a whirlwind 100 in just 69 balls against New Zealand.

Looking ahead a further 17 months, Tendulkar said his big goal was to play at the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. "It is a very, very big event and all the world's players are looking forward to it and will be striving hard to be there. It is also the first World Cup of the century which makes it quite significant. South Africa has excellent facilities to host a World Cup. The atmosphere in your country will be very different and very special. I very much want to be a part of it."