Thaindian News

London, July 17 (IANS) The crowd at the County Ground was aghast. Sachin Tendulkar, playing in the tour match against Somerset, was dismissed for 26 by Craig Meschede, a 19-year-old all-rounder who had never before taken a first-class wicket.

“Before this match, he had only bowled 24 balls for Somerset’s first XI with a red ball,
The Guardian reported.

Tendulkar attempted to drive Meschede’s 28th first-class delivery and feathered a catch to Jos Buttler behind the stumps.

“A few miles down the road at King’s College, where the old Somerset stalwart Dennis Breakwell coaches, there would have been celebrations as well. A couple of years ago Buttler and South African-born Meschede were playing for their school team.”

Meschede, who bowls bustling medium pace, has previously raised more eyebrows as a hard-hitting middle-order batsman.

India, chasing Somerset’s 425, were struggling at 89/5 when Tendulkar was dismissed.

“At least Tendulkar had looked as if his mind was on the job, unlike some of his colleagues. Moreover, his mere presence had been enough to satisfy most onlookers, who recognise that he may not pass this way again. Like Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, who both failed miserably, Tendulkar had not been to the middle since the IPL’s conclusion in May.”