Cricket: Majestic Tendulkar turns India around

CALCUTTA - Sachin Tendulkar struck his 31st test century in majestic style to give India a fighting chance of surviving in the third and final test against the West Indies.

The 29-year-old, playing his 103rd test, is now just three centuries behind the world record held by Sunil Gavaskar.

Tendulkar, who had failed to pass 50 in the series so far, came into form with an unbeaten 114 that took India to 195 for four at the close of the fourth day.

The home side had been reduced to 87 for four after a fiery opening spell by fast bowler Mervyn Dillon, but Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman, who was 30 not out, came together for a 108-run unbroken stand for the sixth wicket.

The West Indies took a 139-run lead on the first innings courtesy of 140 by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and 104 by Marlon Samuels.

At lunch on the final day, India were 299 for four. Tendulkar was 176.

India have a winning 2-0 lead in the series.

* Indian cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya took a swipe at the new players' association formed last week by the country's top cricketers, saying none of the stars was on the contributors' list for the group's first fundraiser.

Officials of the Indian Cricket Players' Association, formed to safeguard players' rights and represent them in talks with the cricket board, did not comment after Dalmiya's statement.

Dalmiya said he had attended the new body's celebrity fundraiser on Thursday night in a personal capacity, not as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"I was surprised that the list of contributors in the fundraiser did not contain the names of any star players or their agents who make money from the game," Dalmiya said. "These are my personal observations, but my understanding is that those who form an organisation should first contribute their bit."

The founding members of the players' association are Sachin Tendulkar, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, vice-captain Rahul Dravid and legspinner Anil Kumble, plus former test captains Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Ravi Shastri.

Former test opener Arun Lal, nominated as the association's secretary, said the organisation would represent all first-class cricketers, past and present.

He said the fundraising dinner raised 6.2 million rupees ($261,000), but an additional 4 million rupees ($168,000) in promised donations "might trickle in".

Dalmiya said the cricket board would decide whether to recognise the players' body once it received a request.

- AGENCIES