Sachin joins run feast

A familiar run-fest has unfolded at the Sinhalese Sports Club. As expected on the docile pitch, the bowlers continued to struggle while the batsmen, if ready to bide their time, scored without exception. The biggest challenge for a batsman here has been the heat and humidity. And in case one happens to be the oldest man on field, the sultry weather can be taxing.

Sachin Tendulkar, 37, defied age and defeated conditions to score 203. And with Suresh Raina scoring a century in his debut Test, India finished the day at 669/9. Such was Tendulkar’s determination that at times it was hard to make out who was faster between the wickets, when the highest run-getter in the game and the debutant scampered up and down the pitch during their 256-run partnership.

Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan vice-captain, has played a lot of his cricket at the SSC. He has made 2,641 runs at the venue, the most by any batsman at a single ground. Still, the conditions stretched his physical limits. On Tuesday, it was a tame flick to short mid-wicket that ended Jayawardene’s 358- minute stay. Exhaustion, Jayawardene said, got the better of him on Day Two.

Sachin Tendulkar batted 158 minutes more than Jayawardene. Tendulkar is four years older than Jayawardene. Without Muralitharan, the Sri Lankan attack was inexperienced but they were not overawed by the batting maestro and made life difficult for him.

Off-spinner Suraj Randiv maintained a leg-stump line from around the wicket, with a leg slip and a short leg in place. Tendulkar had to stretch every sinew to get forward and defend, time and again. The paddle sweep was his preferred shot against this particular line. He played it tirelessly but only after perfectly judging the line and length.