India hold aces after Tendulkar's super ton

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India hold aces after Tendulkar's super ton

Hamilton: Sachin Tendulkar compiled a superb 160, his 42nd Test century, before India was dismissed for 520 at tea for a first-innings lead of 241 on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand on Friday.

Tendulkar added to his own record for Test centuries, extending his lead over Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who has 37, and Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara — both retired — with 34.

After raising his century before lunch from 168 balls with 15 fours in 260 minutes, he went on to dominate the second session and give India firm control of the first match of the three-Test series.

Tendulkar put on 115 with Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the sixth wicket, helping his team build a commanding first-innings lead over New Zealand, which was dismissed for 279 on the first day.

The stand was his 71st century partnership in Tests, second only to teammate Rahul Dravid who has shared 74 test batting partnerships of 100 or more.

After claiming only one wicket in the morning session — Yuvraj Singh for 22 — New Zealand's bowlers took three before tea, including Tendulkar's, but did little to deflate India's domination.

Tendulkar was finally caught by Ross Taylor, standing upright at first slip, off Iain O'Brien when India was 443-7. Dhoni was caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off O'Brien for 47 and Harbhajan Singh was caught by Vettori off Kyle Mills for 16.

Zaheer Khan added to New Zealand's torment, smashing an unbeaten 51 from 46 balls before the innings ended — his third Test half-century.