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| Sunday, 24 February 2002 |
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Tendulkar closes in on Bradman with 28th Test century NAGPUR, India, Feb 23 (AFP) - Batting genius Sachin Tendulkar became the third-highest century-maker in history when he smashed 137 not out to boost India's chances of winning the first Test against Zimbabwe here on Saturday. The 28-year-old struck 18 boundaries in his 28th Test hundred to help India gain a 150-run lead with five wickets in hand at stumps on the third day. All-rounder Sanjay Bangar was the other not-out batsman on 22 as India posted 437-5 in reply to Zimbabwe's 287 in the first match of a two-Test series. Only Indian Sunil Gavaskar (34 centuries in 125 Tests) and Australian Don Bradman (29/52) are now ahead of Tendulkar, who was joint-third with Australians Allan Border and Steve Waugh on 27. Tendulkar, playing his 90th Test, achieved the feat in the last over before tea when he flicked seamer Travis Friend to mid-wicket for a brace to complete his third century against Zimbabwe. Friend was barred for the rest of the innings for intimidatory bowling after sending down two beamers, the second at Tendulkar in the last session. He was earlier warned by Indian umpire Srinivas Venkataraghavan for bowling a full-toss over Shiv Sundar Das's head on Friday. The day belonged to Tendulkar, who scored 137 of the 226 runs made by his team against a disciplined, defensive Zimbabwean attack on a pitch offering slow turn to the spinners. Left-arm spinner Raymond Price was the best Zimbabwean bowler, surprising even Tendulkar with his turn and bounce on a few occasions. He was rewarded for his perseverance, grabbing 4-130 off 58 overs. Barring Tendulkar, none of the Indians could dominate the Zimbabwean bowling as Price maintained a probing line and length to account for skipper Sourav Ganguly and Venkatsai Laxman. Tendulkar shared a 97-run stand for the third wicket with Ganguly, who scored 38 before being caught by Grant Flower at long on while trying a big shot in the post-lunch session. Ganguly, with just three half-centuries in his last 27 Test innings, was not at his best during his 99-ball knock which contained seven fours. Laxman, returning to the team after being dropped for the last three one-dayers against England recently, struggled for his 13 runs before being caught by Gavin Rennie at silly point. But Tendulkar kept batting comfortably, defending resolutely and waiting patiently for the loose deliveries to punish during his 275-ball knock. Zimbabwe bowled well within their limitations to contain runs, but needed wickets to keep pressure on the hosts. They could take just one in each session as Tendulkar led India to a strong position. India began batting cautiously on a pitch where the odd ball kept low, scoring just 65 in 29 overs in the morning session after resuming at 209-2. Rahul Dravid was the first batsman to be dismissed, chopping an away-going delivery from seamer Heath Streak onto his stumps after adding eight to his overnight score of 57. Tendulkar stepped up the run-rate in the post-lunch session with a flurry of boundaries against both seamers and spinners as India added 89 in 28 overs to strengthen their position. Zimbabwe 1st innings: 287 (S. Carlisle 77, T. Friend 60 not out, A. Campbell 57, A. Kumble 4-81, Zaheer 3-46) India 1st innings (overnight 209-2) S. Das c Campbell b Price 105 D. Dasgupta b Price 33 R. Dravid b Streak 65 S. Tendulkar not out 137 S. Ganguly c G.Flower b Price 38 V. Laxman c Rennie b Price 13 S. Bangar not out 22 Extras (b14, lb2, w3, nb5) 24 Total (for five wickets) 437 Fall of wicket: 1-79, 2-209, 3-247, 4-344, 5-376 Bowling: Streak 29-9-74-1, Watambwa 22-6-61-0, Price 58-17-130-4, Friend 22-3-61-0, G. Flower 28-8-77-0, Gripper 5-0-18-0 Overs: 164 Toss: Zimbabwe Umpires: David Shepherd (Eng) and
Srinivas Venkataraghavan(Ind)
Match-referee: John Reid (Nzl)
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