Napier, Feb 29: Former South African opener Barry Richards rates India's Sachin Tendulkar and former South African opener Graeme Pollock as the best batsmen he has seen in his life.
Tendulkar heads the list that also includes West Indian batting great Vivian Richards and former Australian captain Greg Chappell.
"All of those guys at one stage would have played a knock which would have been the best that anyone could play," Richards told the Dominion Post in an interview held at a golf course on the outskirts of Napier.
When it comes to New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe, Richards feels that he got a raw deal because of playing for New Zealand.
"If he'd been born in India, he would have been a superstar," he claims.
He also says that he has been impressed by the batting skills of Kane Williamson.
"I've been impressed with the young man, I think he's a good player, but this will be a step up for him. It's all very well putting Zimbabwe to the sword, but this is a different thing. This could really make him into a premier player for New Zealand if he has a great series against South Africa," Richards said.
Since he retired from cricket in 1983, Richards has been director of cricket at Natal, coach of South Australia, then chief executive of Queensland Cricket for a decade. He quips umpiring is the only facet he hasn't attempted, and won't be doing so in a hurry.
