Sachin Tendulkar closes on double century as hosts dominate final Test

Sachin Tendulkar hit his 11th century against Australia as he closed on unbeaten 191 on day three Photo,

Sachin Tendulkar was again the star turn with a magnificent 191 not out as India dominated day three of the second Test against Australia.

The tourists rallied late in the day but India still closed on a commanding 435 for five as Tendulkar edged towards his second double century against Australia.

The hosts' innings was built around a 308-run stand for the third wicket between Tendulkar and Murali Vijay, who celebrated his maiden Test ton with 139.

Australia toiled for long periods but left-armer Mitchell Johnson claimed two wickets in the final session - including that of Vijay in the 101st over - while Michael Clarke got rid of Suresh Raina (32), with India heading into day four still 43 runs short of the visitors' first-innings total.

Tendulkar passed the 150-mark after tea, while Vijay brought up the 300-run stand with a slog down to the backward point boundary.

And just when Vijay seemed to have picked up his scoring pace - his century having taken 234 deliveries - Johnson made the breakthrough, getting the batsman to edge behind to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

That brought in Cheteshwar Pujara, and the Test debutant started well as he got off the mark with a sweet cover-driven boundary. However, Johnson had the last laugh in that duel, trapping Pujara plum lbw with the very next ball.

New man Raina wasted little time in settling in, smashing five boundaries for his 32, but was undone by Clarke's flight and his down-the-wicket slog only found the hands of Ben Hilfenhaus at mid on.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11 not out) and Tendulkar then managed to steer the hosts through to stumps without further incident.

Earlier, with India having started day three on 128 for two, Australia gave away 96 runs in a 27-over morning session that included 12 boundaries and two sixes.

Tendulkar started proceedings for India in emphatic fashion, smashing Nathan Hauritz for two boundaries in the very first over of the day to bring up his 50.

Vijay reached his third Test 50 with a single, while Tendulkar continued his assault on the bowlers, and the 'little master' had clearly picked Hauritz out for special treatment, reaching 99 with a huge six off the spinner.

And a few overs before lunch, Tendulkar's 11th century against Australia came off Hauritz, with a six to long-on.

(source:telegraph.co.u)