Tendulkar reaches 51st test century with a six

Wednesday, 5 January 2011 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

(Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar reached his 51st test century on Tuesday with a top-edged hook for six on the third day of the third and deciding test between India and South Africa.

He drove a boundary off the next delivery from Morne Morkel to take India to 247 for five in reply to South Africa’s 362.

Tendulkar has also scored 46 one-day international centuries.

Sachin Tendulkar effectively countered an inspired new ball spell from Dale Steyn to take India closer to South Africa’s first innings total on the third day of the third and deciding test on Tuesday.

Tendulkar had reached 136 not out, his 51st test century, in India’s 316 for six in reply to South Africa’s 362 at tea. The series is tied 1-1.

Steyn struck immediately after lunch when he trapped Cheteshwar Pujara (2) lbw with an unplayable delivery that pitched on leg stump and then swung away late to hit the batsman on the back pad.

He was quick to follow up with the wicket of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who edged another fine away swinger to be caught at third slip for a duck.

The world’s number one ranked bowler should also have disposed of Harbhajan Singh when another fantastic delivery had the batsman groping to no avail as the ball swung into off stump. But to one nation’s dismay and another’s joy, the bails somehow failed to fall and Harbhajan had an unlikely reprieve on six.

Steyn was rested after a brilliant spell of two for three in seven overs and the threat eased for India’s batsmen. Tendulkar and Harbhajan (34 not out) had added 69 by tea.

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris played a hand in both the wickets South Africa picked up in the first session.

Harris ripped a ball out of the rough to get the left-handed Gautam Gambhir smartly caught behind by Mark Boucher for 93, and South Africa were then given their second wicket of the innings through a runout off a dropped catch.

Tendulkar’s fierce drive off Harris was airborne and to the bowler’s right, slamming into his fingers, from where it deflected into the stumps and non-striker Vangipurappu Laxman was run out.

Laxman, the man of the match in India’s series-levelling victory in last week’s second test in Durban, had looked threatening as he blasted three fours in his 15.

Rahul Dravid had been run out for five on the second day after trying to steal a run when Gambhir was dropped behind the wicket off Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Tendulkar, who scored seven test centuries last year, brought up his hundred after lunch by top-edging a hook off Morne Morkel for six. He has been at the crease for 434 minutes and 295 balls and, after struggling in the morning session, his play in the afternoon was up to his usual immaculate standard.