Tendulkar props up India with unbeaten 64

MOHALI: Sachin Tendulkar completed a half-century to boost India on the third day of the opening Test against Australia on Sunday.

The middle-order batsman, the world’s leading run-getter in Tests and one-day internationals, was unbeaten on 64 as India reached 280-4 in their first innings at tea in reply to Australia’s 428.

Suresh Raina was not out on 26 at the break.

Australia, looking for wickets to keep the pressure on India, could manage just two in as many sessions on an easy-paced pitch.

Fast bowler Doug Bollinger was the only successful bowler, removing nightwatchman Ishant Sharma in the morning session and well-set Rahul Dravid (77) in the afternoon.

Dravid reached his half-century when he steered left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson past gully for a four and looked set to play a long innings before being caught behind. He hit 12 fours in his impressive 134-ball knock.

Tendulkar, who added 79 for the fourth wicket with Dravid, never looked in trouble during his 131-ball knock, having so far cracked nine fours.

He played some attractive strokes during his stay at the wicket, twice driving Bollinger through the covers for fours and hitting off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for two boundaries in an over.

India batted steadily in the first two sessions, adding 81 to their overnight total of 110-2 in the morning and 89 in the afternoon for the loss the just two wickets.

Australia started the day with pace from one end and spin from the other on a slow pitch, but had to wait for more than an hour to taste the first success in the morning session.

Bollinger struck in his opening spell when he removed Sharma (18), who was bowled shouldering arms, but not before held off the Australian attack for the crucial opening hour.

Sharma offered a sharp chance off Hauritz when on six but close fielder Michael Hussey failed to hold on to the ball. He hit three fours in his 56-ball knock.

Johnson, who dismissed openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag in the final session on Saturday, went wicketless in his 10 overs.

The second and final Test starts in Bangalore on October 9. -AFP