Tendulkar torments Aussies again with third SCG ton

SYDNEY: Having tormented Australia with his batting exploits in the past, Sachin Tendulkar proved once again that he reserves his best for the world champion team when he notched up his third Test ton at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

The unbeaten 154 was his eighth century against the Aussies, five of which have come Down Under.
   
Like VVS Laxman, Tendulkar has a special bond with the SCG as he compiled his third hundred at the majestic venue.
   
He came to Sydney for the first time in 1992 as a precocious teenager and grabbed attention with a sublime 148 not out.

After a relatively lean visit in 2000, Tendulkar scored unbeaten knocks of 241 and 60 in 2004.

With his latest ton, his average at the ground has gone well past 300. Time and again, Tendulkar has proved to be a major thorn for the Australians.
   
With more than 2,000 runs against them at an average of over 53, he clearly relishes the challenge posed by the Australians, regarded as the toughest team in world cricket.
   
His duels with leg-spinner Shane Warne are well documented and the tweaker has openly admitted that Tendulkar gave him nightmares after repeatedly clobbering his bowling.

Before the ongoing Test got underway, Tendulkar had compiled 1,936 runs in 22 Tests against Australia at an average of 52.32 and his performance in the first innings will only help to increase the average.
   
He had 498 runs in his previous three Sydney Tests at an staggering average of 249, which will be boosted further after today's effort.