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Sachin's sparkling ton wrests lead for India
Cricketnext.com
Posted on Jan 04, 2008 at 06:15 | Updated Jan 04, 2008 at 17:05
New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar reached an elusive 38th Test century as India secured a crucial 69-run lead over Australia on the third day of the second Test at the SCG on Friday.
India's tailenders, along with the veteran batsman added vital runs down the order to frustrate the Australian bowlers, finally getting bowled out for 532 in response to the hosts' 463. Australia's openers negotiated the remaining five overs to be 13 for no wicket at stumps.
Tendulkar played himself in early on day three before shifting gears in the second session, and later on occupied the crease when the lower order began to flourish, remaining not out on 154. Harbhajan Singh hammered 63 before RP Singh added 13 and Ishant Sharma scored 23 before falling to Brett Lee to become his fifth victim.
Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar carried on India's charge from where VVS Laxman left off before Ganguly fell to Brad Hogg for 67 with a loose shot. Yuvraj Singh, too, then departed after a tentative stay in the middle for 12 when the left hander was out leg before to Brett Lee moments before lunch was called.
Brett Lee continued to make inroads in the Indian batting order; his wicket moments before lunch was followed by a double jolt immediately afterwards, as India slumped to 345-7, in danger of giving away a substantial lead.
Lee removed Mahendra Singh Dhoni and captain Anil Kumble in quick succession to identical dismissals. Dhoni's dismissal also gave Adam Gilchrist his 400th Test victim.
But in Harbhajan Singh Tendulkar found a suitable partner as the duo put on an unbeaten 79 runs in quick time as India crossed the 400-run mark before Tendulkar emphatically celebrated his third century at the venue. Harbhajan brought up his third Test fifty, before departing for a stroke-filled 63 from 92 balls.
After an improved batting performance from the first Test, Ganguly brought up his fifty from just 68 balls after completing a 50-run fourth wicket stand with Tendulkar early on.
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