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Cricket

Tendulkar helps India secure draw against Australia

13/10/2008

Sachin Tendulkar helped guide India to a hard fought draw against Australia in the first test match in Bangalore.

The hosts were set 299 to win on the final day after Australia declared on 288-6, but initially collapsed to 24-2 before Tendulkar helped steady the ship.

India ended on 177-4 with Tendulkar making 49 and VVS Laxman hitting 42 not out.

Tendulkar's innings took three hours and left him just 14 runs behind Brian Lara's world record for Test runs of 11,953.

Speaking after the game, Indian captain Anil Kumble said: "On a pitch like this the toss is vital. Maybe if we'd won the toss it would have been different.

"This wicket has changed over the years. There's not much spin on this pitch but I thought the fast bowlers bowled brilliantly."

His opposite number, Australia captain Ricky Ponting, added: "It ended up being a pretty good strip. It was a good start. It's always difficult for us coming here and starting a Test series. There's room for some improvement."