Tendulkar role model of cricket: Flintoff

Sachin Tendulkar's match-winning century knock in Chennai has earned respect from England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff who called the master bastman a "role model" for the game.

Sachin Tendulkar's match-winning century knock in Chennai which he dedicated to the people of India deeply hurt by the terror attack in Mumbai has earned respect from England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff who called the master bastman a "role model" for the game.

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"It is impossible not to admire him (Tendulkar) when you are out in the middle. He is a class player and a great role model for the game," Flintoff said.

"His innings (in Chennai) was a scriptwriter's dream. The lad from Mumbai, with everything that has happened there, scores a hundred to win and then dedicates it to everyone in the country. Thinking about it, it was probably inevitable it happened," he was quoted as saying by 'The Independent'.

Flintoff said playing against Tendulkar brought the best out of him.

"Playing against him brings the best out of you in a lot of ways. The worrying thing for us is that he was getting better towards the end of that innings. You could see in the way he was playing he was back to his best."

The 31-year-old Lancashire player was of the view that there is very little margin for error bowling against greats like Tendulkar and Brian Lara.

"I enjoy bowling at him, as I did at the likes of Brian Lara. I think they bring the best out of you. Your margins for error are small, you have to bowl well to restrict them, never mind get them out."