It was a relief to get to three figures - Tendulkar

Having been dismissed in the 90s on several occasions in the recent past, it was a great relief for Sachin Tendulkar when he reached his 38th Test century at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

"I breathed a sigh of relief as I had missed eight or nine hundreds in 2007," Tendulkar, who punched the air in joy and looked towards the heavens on reaching the ton, said.

He was not looking at the scoreboard during his knock but admitted that he asked Harbhajan Singh to run quickly for the two runs that got him the hundred.

He was particularly pleased that his effort had put India in a good position with a first innings lead of 69 over Australia in the second Test.

"I kept fighting and tried to play according to the merit of the ball and waiting for the loose deliveries," Tendulkar said after the third day's play.

He added a vital 129 for the eighth wicket with Harbhajan (63) which rescued India from a difficult situation.

Replying to Australia's score of 463, India was dismissed for 532 in their first innings of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

India has a lead of 69 runs. Australia had taken 463 runs in their first innings. Sachin smashed 154 runs, Laxman 109, Ganguly 67, Harbhajan Singh 63 and Dravid 53.

Brief scores: Australia 1st innings: 463 India 1st innings: 532 all out in 138.2 overs (S Tendulkar 154 not out, VVS Laxman 109, S Ganguly 67, H Singh 63, R Dravid 53; B Lee 5-119.

Bret Lee took five wickets, Hog and Johnson two each.

Australia were 13 without loss in their second innings at close on the third day of the second Test match against India at the SCG here today.

Phil Jacques (8) and Matthew Hayden (5) were at the crease as Australia trails by 56 runs.