Sachin magic bowls over Potter

LONDON:  The world’s most famous boy wizard spent his 18th birthday on Sunday chasing India’s batting wizard, Sachin Tendulkar, but the cricketing icon failed to recognise him.

“I’ve got Sachin Tendulkar’s autograph and Andrew Strauss’s — they were not aware who it was who was asking for their autograph. They were doing the thing that I do when I am in a crowd of people, which is to just keep your head down and keep moving as you sign,” said Daniel Radcliffe.

For Radcliffe, Sunday’s sojourn at Lord’s was his first visit to a cricket match. And he enjoyed every minute. “The tabloids expected me to have some extravagant birthday bash with lots of celebrities,” said Radcliffe. He added, “But that is not my thing. Just to come here was a dream. I have never been to a cricket match. I am 18 today and very excited.”

When English cricketer Strauss learnt Radcliffe was around, he wasted no time in getting a Harry Potter book signed for his son, Sam. Ironically, Radcliffe had nightmares about Strauss during the West Indies series. “I  remember him chasing me with a cricket bat,” he said.
 —With agencies