Sachin Tendulkar achieved the world record for most runs in Test cricket yesterday and his 50th half century pushed India to a commanding 311 for 5 wickets at stumps on the first day of the second Test.
Tendulkar started the innings needing 15 to overtake former West Indies captain Brian Lara’s tally of 11,953 and he did it with a glide to third man in the first over after tea. His upbeat 88 from 111 balls moved him to 12,027 runs at an average of 54.17.
India entered the final session needing a decent partnership after Australia had reduced the hosts to 163-4 before tea.
PHOTO: AP
Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly made sure there were no more problems by combining in a 142-run stand that confirmed the home side’s dominance in good batting conditions.
Tendulkar brought up his half-century from 80 balls — then set his sights on a 40th century.
Two fours off rookie Peter Siddle’s offerings with the second new ball took Tendulkar closer to the milestone, but his edge to Matthew Hayden at first slip gave the Australian paceman his maiden wicket.
Ganguly reached his 35th half-century in 100 balls, hitting four boundaries in his unbeaten 54.
Australia had a moment of misfortune when umpire Rudi Koertzen did not call for the TV umpire when Ganguly was stumped on 35 off the bowling of Cameron White — but given not out. Ganguly passed 7,000 runs when he square drove Johnson for two and moved to 40.
On a day of milestones, Brett Lee became Australia’s fourth-most successful bowler when he removed Rahul Dravid and collected his 292nd test wicket.
Dravid, who picked off seven boundaries in his 39, was looking extremely comfortable until he under-edged Lee and the ball crashed into the leg stump.
Two balls later Gambhir edged Mitchell Johnson’s to end his bright knock of 67 from 140 balls.
When VVS Laxman glanced Johnson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on 12, India had lost 3-17 and were suddenly in bother.
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