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Summary Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the last over of the day, falling short of his elusive 100th.
Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the last over of the day, falling short of his elusive 100th international century but giving India a strong start to it first innings on Tuesdays second day of the first test against Australia.Peter Siddle bowled Tendulkar for 73 to leave India on 214-3 at stumps in reply to Australias first-innings 333. The wicket ended a 117-run partnership between Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid for the third wicket.The Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd of over 50,000 rose to their feet as Tendulkar walked from the ground after a fluent innings that put India on top in the opening test.The 38-year-old Tendulkar rarely looked troubled by the Australian bowling attack as he reached his 50 off 55 balls with six boundaries and a six, yet was finally beaten by a fine ball from Siddle which swung back between bat and pad.Dravid scored a cautious, but nonetheless impressive, half century off 137 balls and will resume the third day on 68 stumps with night watchman Ishant Sharma yet to score.Dravid received a reprieve while on 67 when he was bowled by Peter Siddle (1-53), only for umpire Marias Erasmus rule him not out due to a no ball.Dravid and Virender Sewhag had set up a strong platform for the India innings with a 75-run partnership after opener Gautam Gambhir (3) went early, playing an ill-judged shot outside off stump and being caught by Brad Haddin off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus (1-50).Sehwag played aggressively against a tight Australian bowling attack. He was dropped by Mike Hussey in the gully while on 11, hit a lofted shot which mid-on David Warner just failed to reach as he brought up his half century, and was given another life on 58 when he edged a James Pattinson ball that Haddin couldnt glove.He finally went when he dragged a Pattinson (1-35) ball onto his stumps.Australia resumed on day two at 277-6 and the tailenders managed to eke out another 55 runs despite overnight batsmen Haddin and Siddle falling early.Haddin (27) added just six runs to his overnight score before edging a Zaheer Khan ball to Sehwag in the gully. His wicket ended a dangerous 72-run, seventh-wicket stand with Siddle that saw off the new ball late Monday and steadied the Australian innings after a middle-order collapse.Siddle went soon after, caught behind off the bowling of Khan for an important 41.Hilfenhaus made 19 with three boundaries before lofting a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery to the waiting hands of Virat Kohli at long-on.Lyon was bowled around the legs by fellow-spinner Ashwin for 6 to end Australias innings.Australia opener and top-scorer Ed Cowan was replaced by substitute fielder Dan Christian for most of the day while he received treatment for a sore back.Despite overnight showers, the MCG was bathed in sunshine Tuesday, which combined with a strong breeze to offer a firmer, batting-friendly wicket.
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