Do not demote Sachin 8212; Cronje

Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad had hinted earlier that the team might go in for flexibility in a bid to take the South Africans by surprise.

The Proteas, as is well known, follow a fixed pattern and the current Indian thinking is to upset this rhythm through innovative measures in the middle.

But Cronje felt it would be a mistake. 8220;We all know Tendulkar is a fine player. But his strength obviously is to be there in the first 15 overs when he can smash the ball around the park over the in-fielders8217; head. If he is brought down the order, it won8217;t helpIndia since the field is spread and he can only work the ball.

8220;In any case, we are not worried on this count. We have Allan Donald who is good enough to be tried at any stage of the innings, be it as a new ball bowler or as first change.8221;

Express paceman Donald himself was willing to give the world8217;s best batsman his due. 8220;He is a very fine bat. He can produce effortless strokes and in my opinion is definitely the number one bat.8221;