Sehwag flays Proteas
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Last updated: 29th March 2008
Sehwag: Second triple-hundred
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Virender Sehwag scored the fastest triple-hundred in Test cricket history as India battered the South African attack on day three of the first Test at Chennai.
Sehwag finished unbeaten on 309 as India piled up 468-1 in reply to the Proteas' first innings total of 540.
The 29-year-old, who made 309 against Pakistan at Multan in 2004, became only the third player to achieve the feat of two Test triple-hundreds, alongside Australian Don Bradman and West Indies' Brian Lara.
Sehwag raced to 300 off 278 balls, surpassing Australian Matthew Hayden's 362-ball effort when he scored a then world record 380 against Zimbabwe at Perth in 2003-4.
The Indian batsman lashed 42 fours and five sixes before nudging paceman Makhaya Ntini for a single to squareleg for his 300.
Flawless
The Indian star did not offer a chance in an almost flawless innings of 292 balls, as the hosts put themselves in position to put some pressure on the Proteas over the final two days.
He was well supported by Rahul Dravid (65no) in an unbeaten second innings partnership of 255.
India started the day on 82 without loss and Sehwag put on 213 for the first wicket alongside Wasim Jaffer (73), before his fellow opener edged left-arm spinner Paul Harris to Jacques Kallis in the slips to give the tourists their solitary breakthrough.
Dravid then joined him and the man known as 'The Wall' lived up to his name, scoring 65 in 181 balls. In the process he took his career tally to 9,985 runs by stumps and needs only 15 more to become just the sixth batsman in history to complete 10,000 Test runs.
Sehwag's double ton off 194 balls was the third fastest in Test history after New Zealander Nathan Astle's 153-ball knock against England at Christchurch in 2001 and Sehwag's own 182-ball innings against Pakistan in Lahore in 2006.
Best
The 55-Test veteran was at his best in the afternoon session when he scored 108 of India's 133 runs, as the South African bowling wilted in oppressively hot and humid conditions.
It was Sehwag's second successive three-figure score following a match-saving 151 in his last innings against Australia at Adelaide in January.
On Saturday he will be bidding to overhaul Brian Lara's Test record score of 400, with India set to bat past the tourists' total and have a dart at them on day five.
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| Thursday 17th July |
| Pro40 - Division One |
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| Wednesday 16th July |
| County Championship - Division One |
| Somerset vs Kent Somerset won by 246 runs. |
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| Varsity Friendly |
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Comments
Neil Francois says...
I hope the young and hopeful West Indies cricketers are looking on to see what patience can do. Virender was dropped from the Test side but never gave up. Best of luck from here on!
Posted 21:43 28th March 2008
Raman Nanda says...
I hope he breaks Lara's record just for the fact he is fearless in the way he plays and always entertains even if he hits 50 or 300. Simply the most ruthless batsmen of the present in the world.
Posted 21:26 28th March 2008
Gizza Patel says...
May I remind Charles Michaels that records are there to be broken regardless of how great a player one is or not or may become in future! Should Veeru acheive the feat then he would have done so against a better bowling attack then when Lara (twice) broke the record! As opposed to Veeru's innings (so far) both of Lara innings were NOT chanceless.
Posted 20:59 28th March 2008
Dean Walker says...
Virinder Sehwag what else can I say, the little magician has struck again. One of the best batsmen of all time and still going, just goes to prove that the quality of cricket hasn't decreased from the olden days! Hope you set the record tommorow Sehwag!
Posted 19:13 28th March 2008
Steve Pratt says...
If only Virender Sehwag was English. Great accomplishment. Keep going and become a legend like Lara!
Posted 17:59 28th March 2008
Rafiq M says...
Sehwag was really awesome today, I send out the good vibes and pray that he scores 500 runs tomorrow when he comes on to bat ! 500 is not unreachable because he looks flawless, patient and attacking!
Posted 17:25 28th March 2008
Mitesh Chauhan says...
A great innings by a great player. It's all good saying the pitch is for batsmen but its somethng else to actually go out there and score a triple hundred. Go for the record,hope you get past 400.
Posted 17:12 28th March 2008
Milan Rijal says...
Great knock viru, keep up the good work, I am your number one fan and would be delighted to see you pass the world record tomorrow.
Posted 16:44 28th March 2008
Dilip Degamia says...
Well Done Virender, a tremendous knock - an innings to be proud of.
Posted 16:41 28th March 2008
Charles Michaels says...
I don't wish to be a party pooper but he does still have over 90 runs to get. Fair play to him if he does beat the record but in some ways I feel it would be a shame for such an on-off player to get the record from of one of the universally recognised all time greats.
Posted 16:25 28th March 2008
Arron Singh says...
I think he has a good chance of beating Brian Laras Record I'll be watching
Posted 16:11 28th March 2008
Rohith Dwarak says...
Well even though i'm delighted at his performance and fully back him to break B.C. Lara's record,i got to say the pitch had absolutely nothing for the bowlers. But this will surely give him the confidence he needs to be the batsman he is.
Posted 15:26 28th March 2008
Terence Balmer says...
He is simply awesome! The most free flowing batsman I have ever seen, and up there with Lara and Tendulkar as one of cricket modern legends1
Posted 14:43 28th March 2008
Alihusein Namajee says...
Well batted Virender hope you become the new record holder tomorrow wish you best of luck. This is your best chance so please dont miss it I will be praying for you. Ali
Posted 13:29 28th March 2008
Rajinder Singh says...
Well done Veeroo!! he's been off sorts up until last year but now he's back to his fluent attacking self
Posted 12:59 28th March 2008
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