Brian Lara will remain the leading scorer in Test cricket for a few more days after Sachin Tendulkar failed to make the 64 runs he needed yesterday to overhaul the former West Indies batsman in the drawn first Test against Australia in Bangalore. However, Tendulkar did make 49 in almost three hours to guide India to safety.
Ricky Ponting declared Australia’s second innings on 228 for six after five overs of the final day, setting India 299 to win, but, after losing Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid early on the home team were content to bat out time for a draw. Tendulkar added 61 in 26 overs with V. V. S. Laxman before giving Cameron White his first Test wicket by driving to short cover.
India had their tailenders to thank for ensuring that Australia did not run away with the match after making 430 in the first innings. India were 232 for seven in their first innings, but Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan made their fifth and second Test fifties respectively to cut the deficit to 70.
Zaheer, who also took six wickets, was named man of the match and then criticised Australia’s bowlers for being ineffective. “They know they can’t take 20 wickets and they are on the back foot,” he said. “We are in with a big chance. They are under pressure.” The second Test starts in Mohali on Friday.
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