Tendulkar No 1 in Warne's Test best

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar tops the list of the world's 100 best Test cricketers named by legendary spinner Shane Warne in his book Shane Warne's century, which also features as many as 10 other Indians.

Warne's list from among cricketers whom he had played with or against also includes Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Mohammad Azharuddin, Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri.

The list in Warne's book released on October 2 is almost identical with the one the The Times newspaper published ast year.

The legendary spinner describes Tendulkar as a "genius" and "best in the business", one who has an amazing discipline, and puts the Indian ahead of West Indian legend Brian Lara.

"Tendulkar has a touch of genius about him. He is the best in the business. Being quick and decisive means that he either goes all the way forward or back on the crease, but doesn't get caught in two minds.

"I have found it difficult at times to deceive him because he reads the length and the spin so quickly," said Warne of Tendulkar in the book.

Ganguly, who is in the Indian Test squad to play against Australia in the four-Test series starting on October 9, figures in 96th place in Warne's list.

Warne shared a love and hate relationship with Ganguly. The two have had a few run-ins, the latest being during the inaugural edition of Indian Premier League, where they involved in a war of words and were both fined 10 per cent of their match fees.

Still, Warne considers Ganguly as an intelligent cricketer with interesting ideas on all subjects and one who has his own way of doing things.

"But he did have the knack of rubbing up opponents (and even teammates when he went to Lancashire) the wrong way without seeming to try very hard. If this was part of a deliberate strategy, then he got it bang on at times.

"He would also be late for the toss and then walk off on his own without waiting for Steve Waugh, our captain. To be a minute or so behind because an issue crops up is one thing, but more than that is just taking the mickey," Warne wrote of Ganguly in the book.

Besides Tendulkar, the top five include Brian Lara in second spot, followed by Curtly Ambrose, Allan Border and Glenn McGrath.

The list of 100 best cricketers also has nine Pakistanis and eight Sri Lankan players.