Sachin's 154 slows Aussie record bid

Sachin Tendulkar provided another master class in batting today to give India a first-innings lead of 69 over Australia in the Second Test in Sydney.

Tendulkar defied the Aussies for almost seven hours, striking 14 boundaries and one six to chalk up his 38th Test hundred. He was undefeated on 154 as the tourist reached 532 in reply to 463.

Australia, bidding for a record-equalling 16th win in a row, had wiped out 13 of the deficit by the close.

Tendulkar now averages 326 in four Tests at the SCG.

He received support today from Saurav Ganguly, 67, and Harbhajan Singh, who hit 63.

Brett Lee was the pick of the bowlers, taking five for 119, while Adam Gilchrist took three catches to join South African Mark Boucher as the only wicketkeepers to claim more than 400 Test dismissals.