Tendulkar scores 47th ODI century

INDUS VALLEY TIMES correspondent

with cricketnext.in.com inputs

Banglalore, Feb. 27: Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday once again regaled his cricket fans by scoring a marvelous century at M. Chinaswami stadium here against England.

The batting maestro reached his 47th one-day century and 98th in international cricket in 103 balls.

The legend, playing his last World Cup, went after the England bowlers in the Group B encounter before a Sunday packed audience.

India were up to a good start with Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar firing on both the sides. Sehwag produced a splendid shots before being caught by Matt Prior off Tim Bresnan. On the other hand, Tendulkar led from the front and brought up his half century en route the big partnership with Gambhir to put India on course for a huge total.

Tendulkar and Gambhir mixed aggression with caution to keep the Indian score ticking following Virender Sehwag's departure, who made an edgy but quick 35 runs.

After surviving an early scare, followed by some spanking shots, Sehwag edged one to Matt Prior off the bowling of Tim Bresnan .

Sehwag's intent to spank England bowlers from the word go almost led to his wicket in the first over of the innings itself as he edge James Anderson thrice but the ball fell short of diving fielders. However, he survived the close shaves and settled in with Sachin Tendulkar to give India a start.

Earlier, Indian skipper MS Dhoni on Sunday won the toss and elected to bat first.

India come into this match after registering an emphatic victory over Bangladesh, while England just managed to beat Netherlands. A win here of either teams will see them top the Group A with four points.

India, strongly fancied to add a second World Cup trophy to their 1983 success, has made one change in their team that beat Bangladesh on the opening day of the World Cup. In-form leg-spinner Piyush Chawla replaces pacer S Sreesanth who went for 53 in his five overs against Bangladesh.

Virender Sehwag who was hit on the ribs during a practice session on Friday is fit to play and will open the batting with little master Sachin Tendulkar.

England has made two changes in their team that won against Netherlands. Ajmal Shahzad comes in place for Stuart Broad and Mike Yardy makes to playing eleven at the expense of Ravi Bopara.

(Source: http://cricketnext.in.com)

www.indusvalleytimes.com