Tendulkar blasts ton in tour match

Sachin Tendulkar sent a warning to the England camp ahead of the second cricket Test with a big hundred as the Indians reached 417 for eight on the third day of the rain-truncated four-day match against Worcestershire at Worcester on Friday.

Under attack from critics after failing in both innings of the first Test at Lord's, Tendulkar came up with a marathon five-hour knock to make an impressive 169 with 30 boundaries as play finally started today after the first two days were washed out due to rain.

Tendulkar, unbeaten on 64 at tea, blasted as many as 105 runs with 21 fours in the final session which saw the addition of 176 runs to the Indian total in just 29 overs.

It was a brilliant performance by the master batsman on a damp pitch that had uneven bounce and movement which was exploited to the hilt by the home bowlers.

Openers Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer helped themselves to 42 and 43 runs respectively in their 99-run opening wicket partnership while Rahul Dravid remained unbeaten on 53 in company of Harbhajan Singh who was not out on 32.

Jaffer and Sehwag gave India a flying start, playing some attractive shots especially on the off-side, before getting out on successive deliveries from off-spinner Gareth Batty.

The two batted at the most difficult stretch of the day's play with deliveries jagging back and lifting without much notice.

Sehwag was perked up at the sight of the off-spinner and hit his first ball straight to Matt Mason at long on and then Jaffer edged a catch to wicketkeeper James Pipe as both batsmen failed to reach their half-centuries.

Sanjay Bangar failed to score and became the first of the four victims of Alamgir Sheriyar, a left-arm paceman of Asian descent, as the Indians lost their first three wickets with the score at 99.

Sheriyar also dismissed skipper Sourav Ganguly (24) and the young wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel (6) after lunch.

Ganguly was peppered with deliveries aimed at his chest and face but the Indian captain showed tremendous application in fighting his way through. However, Sheriyar came up with a beautiful delivery that bounced little more than expected and took the edge of Ganguly's bat on way to the wicketkeeper.

Patel, promoted up in the order to press his credentials for the second Test, lasted a mere dozen balls before he was yorked by Sheriyar.

Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid then took charge of the innings and produced the best stand of the day, mustering 73 runs for the sixth wicket to take India to 241 for five at tea.

Dravid retired in the final session but Tendulkar didn't and reached his hundred through a pull off Sheriyar to the mid-on fence.

Tendulkar batted a shade under four hours for his century, facing 194 balls and lacing it with 16 boundaries.

Tendulkar picked up Sheriyar for special attention in the final session, slicing his drives past the offside cordon and the left armer, quite easily the pick of home bowlers, bore it with a grin and even applauded a few shots by the little master. His raised his arm in triumph when towards the close he was able to bowl a maiden over to Tendulkar.

Sheriyar's unceasing accuracy and hostility was rewarded when Ajay Ratra (4) was ruled out leg before wicket.

Tendulkar was not satisfied with a hundred alone and clearly looked in a mood to bat for as long as possible.

Harbhajan Singh, who joined him after the fall of Ratra, was surprised to see a ball lift up chest high but countered with three fours in one over from Sheriyar.

Tendulkar and Harbhajan added an entertaining 68 runs for the ninth wicket before an inside edge from Tendulkar's bat crashed into the stumps with Ben Smith getting the credit for the big wicket.

Dravid came out to resume his innings at the total of 395 for eight and helped the tourists cross the 400-run mark.