Vijay hits maiden Test century

Bangalore - Murali Vijay struck his maiden Test century after Sachin Tendulkar completed his 49th as India continued to frustrate Australia by reaching 314 for two at tea on the third day of the second match, here today.

After ensuring that Australia go wicket-less in the opening session, the duo batted through the second session as well, taking their unbroken second-wicket partnership to 276.

Vijay was batting on 118 and Tendulkar was unbeaten on 148 as India gathered 90 runs from the middle session.

Since Tendulkar had already completed his century in the morning, all eyes were on Vijay. The Tamil Nadu batsman slowly moved towards the milestone as he took 11 balls to go from 99 to a 100.

He pushed one off debutant paceman Peter George towards the cover region to get to his hundred.

Vijay survived a scare while on 97 as he played one in the air off Nathan Hautitz but the ball just fell short of Ricky Ponting at short mid-wicket.

Vijay's previous best was 87, which he scored against Sri Lanka in December 2009.

Tendulkar's 148 came off 238 with 17 fours and two sixes while Vijay was little slow as he took 273 balls for his 118-run knock with 11 fours and two sixes.

Australian skipper took second new ball just at the fag end of the session but Tendulkar leg-glanced the first ball of Mitchell Johnson for a four.
Photo: Sachin Tendulkar (right) and Murali Vijay's unbeaten 276 run partnership put India in a commanding position on the third day of the second Test between India and Australia in Bangalore on Monday (AP)

October 11, 2010