Tendulkar inspires India to 69-run lead

CRICKET:Australia have not given up hope of equaling their world record for consecutive Test wins despite taking a pounding from India's batsmen in the second Test yesterday.

The Australians, who need just one more victory to match their record of 16 straight wins, have their work cut out after Sachin Tendulkar blasted 154 not out in India's impressive 532 to give the tourists a 69-run lead on the first innings.

The hosts wiped 13 off the deficit by stumps on day three but remain hopeful of producing something special over the weekend to keep their streak going.

"There is a chance of winning this match," Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said. "We are in a great spot right now. Both teams can win from this situation.

"We've got through both first innings, now the mind games and tactics start - that's the reason we all play Test cricket. The next two days promise to be two cracking days."

Lee, who finished with five wickets after being made to toil hard on a placid Sydney Cricket Ground deck, said Australia needed to make a good start today to set up a declaration before the pitch started to break up.

"The first session of day four will probably be the most important session of the match. It's going to set up the whole game," he said.

"It's going to be the tell-tale of the whole Test match. When Ricky (Ponting) thinks that we've got enough runs, if we bat well, then it's time to go out there and have a crack at them."

Tendulkar, meanwhile, said the match had all the makings of a classic. "I don't want to take anything for granted in this game. Right now it's evenly poised," he said. "There's plenty of cricket left.

"We need to put the ball in the right areas and it should be backed by good fielding for us to have a chance."

While Tendulkar's innings ensured India surged past Australia's first innings total of 463, the 34-year-old paid tribute to his team-mates for their strong response after last week's 337-run loss in Melbourne.

Vangipurappu Laxman laid the foundations for the fightback with a brilliant hundred on Thursday while Sauruv Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and tailender Harbhajan Singh all chipped in with half-centuries.

"We believe in our ability. We knew that one bad match doesn't mean we can't bounce back,"

Tendulkar said. "We've got faith in the team. It's a long tour, it's going to be a tough tour. We're prepared to be mentally tough."

Tendulkar provided further evidence of his genius. It was his 38th Test hundred, more than any other player in history, but he celebrated like it was his first, thrusting his arms into the air and embracing batting partner Harbhajan Singh.

Tendulkar left the Sydney Cricket Ground to a standing ovation in what is possibly his last Test match at a venue he has developed a long lasting love affair with.

He scored an unbeaten double-century on his last visit to Sydney four years ago and now averages an astonishing 326 in four Test appearances at the world's third oldest Test ground.

"It's one of my favourite grounds. Sometimes you walk onto a field and it gives you a good feeling. It's one of those grounds that I really enjoy batting."

Tendulkar has made a habit out of making big scores against the Australians and said the challenge of playing them brought out the best in him. "They are the best side in the world. It's good when you perform well against the top side in the world," he said.

India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been summoned to a hearing by match referee Mike Procter following an incident on the third day. A statement from the International Cricket Council (ICC) said the charge was laid by the match umpires following a complaint from Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

"The complaint was made by Ponting after the 116th over of India's first innings, prior to which Harbhajan is alleged to have made a comment directed at an Australia player," the statement said.