Tendulkar hogs limelight in Sydney
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Tendulkar climbed to second on the all-time century-makers list.
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SYDNEY, Australia -- Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar seized the stage on day two of the fourth and final test against Australia to put the tourists in a dominant position at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Tendulkar scored a career-best 220 not out -- his first test century in more than a year -- and shared a record 353-run partnership with Vangipurappu Laxman as India reached 650-5 at the close.
That total was already the biggest ever by a visiting side to Australia.
With the series tied 1-1, Australia face a huge job to avoid their first series defeat at home since losing to the West Indies in 1993.
India are chasin their first ever series win in Australia, although a draw would be enough for them to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which they won at home in 2001.
Tendulkar, who had failed to score a big innings throughout the series, finally re-discovered his best form, stroking 30 boundaries and facing 419 deliveries en route to his 32nd test century.
That pushed him up to second on the all-time list of century-makers behind Australian captain Steve Waugh, playing his final test match.
"It's very relieving, especially when you've not had a good series," said the 30-year-old, who scored a double century for the third time in his career.
"I knew a big innings was just around the corner and it was just a matter of hanging there."
Record partnership
Tendulkar and Laxman batted together for almost seven hours in a record partnership in Australia by a visiting side.
Laxman was finally out for 178 in the final session of the day, bowled by Jason Gillespie.
Australia picked up their second wicket of the day soon afterwards as Indian captain Saurav Ganguly was bowled by Brett Lee for 16, but wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel survived until the close, reaching 45 not out.
Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said it had been the toughest day of test cricket he had ever endured, but said his side still hadn't given up hope.
"Whilst there's a competition still on we're still a chance," said Gilchrist.
"It's just been a real challenge for us to try to find ways of getting these guys out. It's been tough work. It's been physically and mentally taxing."
• Rohan Gavaskar, son of former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, has been named in India's one-day squad for a triangular tournament with hosts Australia and Zimbabwe later this month.
The uncapped 27-year-old replaced injured batsman Mohammad Kaif who has a thumb injury.
