Sachin Tendulkar gave ample display of his class with a masterly 160 as India tighten the noose around New Zealand by taking a huge 241-run lead and snapping up three early Kiwi wickets in the first cricket Test in Hamilton on Friday. Tendulkar not only notched up his 42nd Test century but anchored the innings brilliantly to steer India to a commanding first innings total of 520. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (47) and Zaheer Khan (51 not out) chipped in with useful contribution as the visitors took advantage of a good batting track of Seddon Park to put the host team on the back-foot. The Kiwis were struggling at 75 for three at close on the third day,still trailing by 166 runs. With two full days left,Black Caps will have to bat out of their skin to prevent India from taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Indians took the wicket of night watchman Kyle Mills in the very last ball to cap a day,completely dominated by them with Tendulkar standing out with his heroic knock. It was Tendulkar's third hundred in four Tests since the 109 against Australia at Nagpur last November,putting him clearly ahead of Ricky Ponting's 37 hundreds (129 Tests). New Zealand got off to a poor start in the second essay,losing Tim McIntosh (0) in the third ball of the innings,before Martin Guptill,who played some delightful strokes through the off-side during his enterprising 48. Tendulkar injured the index finger of his left hand while taking a low slip catch,offered by McIntosh off Khan. Guptill and Daniel Flynn (batting 24) put the brakes on India,posting 68 runs for the second wicket. Harbhajan Singh broke the partnership by sending back Guptill,who played an uppish drive and Virender Sehwag at mid-off pounced on the easy chance. Earlier,Tendulkar was in supreme form this morning as he began his symphony at the crease with an exquisite cover drive off Chris Martin,following it up with an endemic punch of the back foot through covers. It was the Tendulkar of yore as boundaries oozed out of his thickset willow. He turned the heat on Iain I'Brien and Jesse Ryder,hitting on the up through the off,back cutting and flicking with finesse. His skill,balance,grace,steely determination and saint-like temperament which have been essence of his successful career spread over 20 years came to the fore as he expanded his overnight 70. The Kiwis merely watched in awe as Tendulkar moved into top gear at the square,working the ball delightfully off the square.
