Tendulkar seeks SCG inspiration in ton quest

Sachin Tendulkar’s search for his elusive 100th international century fittingly takes him to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for tomorrow’s second Test against Australia, an arena celebrating its own Test ton.

The “Little Master” came close to achieving the unique feat with his fluent 73 in the first innings of last week’s Melbourne Test, where India succumbed to a 122-run defeat.

But the SCG, hosting its 100th Test, is one of 38-year-old Tendulkar’s happy hunting grounds. He has scored three of his 51 Test hundreds there in seven innings and averages an incredible 221.33 at the ground.

Tendulkar has been stranded on 99 Test and one-day international centuries since scoring 111 against South Africa in the World Cup in March, but the odds are stacked in his favour in Sydney this week.

“You really think cosmos, the Almighty and the Hindu gods were going to allow him to score it (100th ton) anywhere but the SCG?” SCG Trust chairman Rodney Cavalier said in half-jest.

“These things are pre-ordained.”

Tendulkar’s returns at the SCG make for a compelling argument: 148 not out (1992), 241 not out (2004) and 154 not out (2008).

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said that, based on Tendulkar’s batting form in Melbourne, he is “guaranteed” to get his missing century in Australia.

“He looked very solid at the MCG on a pitch which had a fair bit of help for the quicks. His feet have moved superbly, which is an indication that his mind is thinking the right way,” Ganguly said.

But for all of the runs from Tendulkar, India have only won one of nine previous Tests at the ground and they cannot afford to fall 2-0 behind in the four-Test series.

Australia’s pace trio, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, took 19 of the 20 Indian wickets in Melbourne and helped rout the tourists for 169 in the second innings to bring off an emphatic win inside four days.