Melbourne, December 27
Sachin Tendulkar gave glimpses of his vintage form but the record 100th international century continued to elude him as India responded with a strong batting display to keep the first cricket Test against Australia on an even keel here today.

After dismissing Australia for 333 in the first innings, Indians rode on useful contributions from most of the top-order batsmen to reach 214 for three at close on the second day. Tendulkar who looked fluent during his innings of 73 was done in by a beauty from Peter Siddle. The delivery cut back sharply at a scorching pace as the senior pro tried to reach for a drive only to be bowled through the gate. He hit eight boundaries and a six off Siddle with his trademark upper cut over third-man region.

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were associated in a third-wicket partnership of 117 - their 20th partnership of 100 or more. The pair became the first to register 20 partnerships of 100 or more in Tests - their run-aggregate is 6864 at an average of 51.22 in 140 innings.

In the the course of his innings (68*), Dravid completed 2,000 runs against Australia — 2040 (ave 42.50) in 30 Tests. He is the third Indian player after Tendulkar (3224) and Laxman (2279) to accomplish the feat. His tally includes 23 runs in two innings for ICC World XI against Australia in October 2005.

Virender Sehwag (67) has registered his 31st fifty in Tests - his 9th against Australia. Sehwag's tally of fifties against Australia includes 76 for ICC World XI at Sydney in 2005-06. Sehwag, during his superb knock, has completed his 8,000 runs in Tests.

With his 73 off 98 balls, Sachin Tendulkar has established a world record for most half-centuries (64) in Tests, bettering the tallies of Allan Border (63) and Rahul Dravid (63). Tendulkar took his runs' tally to 3224 (ave 60.83) in 32 Tests against Australia. His tally includes 11 centuries and 14 fifties. Tendulkar's international aggregate of 6282 (ave 52.78) in 100 matches is the highest by any batsman against Australia. Amongst his contemporaries, Jacques Kallis has the next best tally — 3401 in 78 matches.

Zaheer Khan (4/77) has registered his best bowling figures at MCG, surpassing the 4 for 94 four years ago. The said figures are his second best in Australia, behind the 5 for 95 at Brisbane in December 2003.

MS Dhoni became the second Indian wicketkeeper after P K Sen in 1947-48 to effect four dismissals in an innings at MCG.

Australia have managed 333 for the second time in Tests - the first occasion being against India at Bangalore in 1979. Triple nelson has been witnessed eight times in Tests — three times by Pakistan and twice by Australia and once each by West Indies, Bangladesh and South Africa.

The foundation of India's reply was a solid 117-run third wicket partnership between Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid (68 batting) after opener Virender Sehwag smashed a quickfire 67.

Australians were also unlucky as a Siddle in-dipper breached Dravid's defences but the TV replays confirmed that the speedster had bowled a no-ball.

Earlier Australia, resuming at their overnight score of 277 for 6, were all out for 333, half an hour before lunch break with Zaheer Khan (4 for 77), Umesh Yadav (3 for 106) and R Ashwin (3 for 81) sharing the spoils. — PTI

Scoreboard

New Delhi, December 27
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will soon set up an Ethics Committee and an Arbitration Commission, as per the unanimous decision arrived at the IOA Annual General Meeting held at the Olympic Bhawan here on December 15.

The AGM had authorised acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra to form various committees and commissions as per the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter. Stating this, IOA vice-president Tarlochan Singh asserted today that the new commissions and committees will be in place very soon.

“There is no question of the IOA defying or ignoring the IOC or its Charter,” he said and added that a canard was being spread that the IOA did not want these commissions. “We are all in favour of having such commissions but with the approval of the General Body. The IOA is a democratic institution and has to function under its constitution. All major decisions need the approval of the house,” he added.

He said that the December 15 meeting did not ratify formation of some of the committees which were formed without its approval. “There is nothing illegal or unconstitutional about it,” he explained. Further elaborating on the issue, Tarlochan Singh said that AGM, in fact, did not approve certain new clauses which were inserted in the constitution and requested the president to form a sub-committee to review that matter. But these issues have not been highlighted.

He said this was the first AGM after the Ranchi National Games, so the members wanted all the decisions taken in between to be reviewed, because those had no approval of the house. No member was against the Ethics or Arbitration commissions. “All the AGM wanted was that it should be taken into confidence while taking such important decisions," Tarlochan Singh added.

He noted that the very fact the AGM unanimously vested all powers with Malhotra to take crucial decisions show that members were keen to set the house in order.

Patiala, December 27
The Punjabi University, Patiala, athletes ended the year on a winning note when they claimed the overall championship in the All-India Inter- University Athletics Championship held at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore recently. While their men’s team stood first with five gold, three silver and one bronze, the women’s team got second place with three gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Director Sports of the university, Dr Rajkumar Sharma, welcomed the coaches and players on their arrival in the city today. He gave the credit of their achievement to Coach Jasbir Singh, Senior Athletic Coach Harbhajan Singh Sandhu, University Athletic Coach H.S. Shahid, Ramesh Paul, SAI Athletic Coach and Satwant Kaur, manager of the team.

Sharma was all praise for Suresh Kumar, who won gold in 5000 metre and half-marathon and created new meet records.

Winners (Men): Suresh Kumar, two gold (5000m, half-marathon, both New Records); Abal Singh Rana, gold (20 Km walk); Kirpal Singh gold (discus throw); Arpinder Singh gold (triple-jump); Shandar Singh silver (10,000m); Gurlal Singh Silver (100m); Rattan Lal Jat silver (half-marathon); Bijinder Singh bronze (400m).

Women: Raji C.T gold (100m hurdles); Roma Devi bronze (half-marathon); Poornima Hambram gold (heptathlon), silver (100m hurdles); Manisha gold (discus).

Patiala, December 27
Indian Air Force, New Delhi, outgunned a fired-up but inexperienced Sangrur XI 2-0 to make the quarter-finals grade of the 36th Liberals All-India hockey tournament. The airmen attacked the Sangrur territory from the beginning and struck in 7th minute with lanky forward Harwant scoring with a full-blooded shot from the top of circle after being fed with an accurate pass from the left by left-out Harpreet.

The Sangrur goal had a narrow escape in the 15th minute when centre-forward Lovepreet essayed a flying shot towards the left corner of the net but goalkeeper Sandeep brought about a magnificent save, diving full length to his right. The Air Force goal also had a narrow escape in 30th minute when Ramandeep missed an easy chance hitting off the mark with only goalkeeper to beat.

The winners consolidated their lead in 39th minute through Lovepreet, who dodged past a bunch of defenders to beat goalie Sandeep with a smart push. Maintaining an upper hand, Air Force could have won with a bigger margin but poor finishing in the circle prevented any further damage to the Sangrur goal.

In another match, Sports Hostel, Lucknow were halted when seasoned Punjab Police outstroked them in the tie-breaker after the two teams were locked 1-1 in the regulation time.

Excelling in all departments of the game, Ropar Hawks inflicted a crushing 6-1 defeat on Army Ordnance Corps, Secunderabad, who had entered the tournament as a substitute for Northern Railway who failed to make it to the tournament.

Schedule: EME Jalandhar vs Air Force New Delhi (10 a.m.); Western Railway Mumbai vs Punjab Police Jalandhar (11:30 a.m.); Punjab & Sind Bank, Jalandhar, vs CRPF New Delhi 1p.m.); BSF Jalandhar vs Hawks Ropar (2:30 p.m.).

BRIEFLY

Jamia thrash Gaur
NEW DELHI: Hosts Jamia Millia Islamia thrashed H.S. Gaur Vishwavidayalaya, Sagar, 9-0 in the All-India Inter-University hockey tournament for men, which began on Tuesday. Munish Rana (3), Sandeep (2) Naveen (2) and Nitin were the scorers. Other results: Purvanchal University, Jaunpur 1 (Amar Nath) d/w Barkatullah University 1(Aftab Khan); Kashi Vidyapeeth Varanasi 8 (Mohd. Javed 5, Abhishek Kumar Singh 2, Chandan Singh) b Bharati Dasan, Tiruchirapalli 1 (Abu-baakar); Guru Nanak Dev University 8 (Manjinder Singh 4, Gagandeep Singh 2, Gurjan Singh, Gautam Pal Singh) b Shivaji Kolhapur 1 (Prithviraj Shivankhi). — TNS

Sachin stars in Air-India win
NEW DELHI: An all-round performance by Haryana Ranji Trophy player Sachin Rana (2 for 23 and 67) helped Air-India defeat Lal Bahadur Shastri Club by seven wickets to enter the quarter-finals of the 16thSahibzada Ajit Singh cricket tournament on Tuesday. Sachin was adjudged the man of the match. Scores: Shastri Club: 175/9 (Yogesh Nagar 67, Luv 28, Abid 3 for 46, Sachin Rana 2 for 23, Sonu Sharma 2 for 39). Air-India: 176 for 3 (Naman Sharma 69, Sachin Rana 67). Wednesday’s fixture: SGGS College of Commerce vs S.B. Youth (9.30 a.m.). — TNS