Tendulkar breaks Lara's record to become highest Test run scorer

Sachin Tendulkar became the highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket today, eclipsing Brian Lara's record during India's match against Australia. The batsman, accorded demi-god status in his country, required 15 runs to pass Lara's total of 11,953 and he finally got there with a push to third man for three off the bowling of Peter Siddle to send the home supporters into raptures. He was eventually dismissed for 88 as India fought back in the afternoon of the second Test.

Fireworks were released as the game came to a brief standstill moments into the evening session. Australia's players, including captain Ricky Ponting, were among the first to congratulate Tendulkar, who also holds the records for the most runs and most centuries scored in one-day internationals. The 35-year-old 'Little Master' reaches the milestone in his 152nd Test appearance; though Lara accumulated just 131 caps in setting the previous mark. Tendulkar has now scored 12,027 Test runs at an average of just over 54.

"It has taken me 19 years to get the record," said Tendulkar, referring to his debut in 1989. "It can't happen overnight. It has been a fantastic journey. There have been ups and downs in the process of success." When asked about retirement, Tendulkar jokingly replied: "If stones are thrown at you, you convert them into milestones."

The feat has long been expected: Tendulkar surpassed another Indian legend, Sunil Gavaskar, in setting a new high of 35 Test centuries nearly three years ago - he now has 39 - and though injuries have begun to dog him with increasing frequency, he was at his exhilirating best on India's tour of Australia at the start of the year, when he scored 493 runs at 70.42. Perhaps the only blemish on an impeccable batting CV is his lack of a Test triple-hundred - a statistic unlikely to give the great man too much pause as his career draws towards its close.

"I think he is one of the finest batsmen the world has ever seen," said compatriot Kapil Dev, after Tendulkar had reached the landmark. "I think the great batsmen always have a little extra time than normal batsmen - and he had a little more time than any other batsman I have seen. I think it is amazing some of the shots he has. He can look like he is pushing forward in defence - but the ball goes rushing to the boundary."

"The country needs heroes like him. It is great to have a player of this calibre and a cricketer who can give joy to the whole country," added Dev, himself a former holder of the record for Test wickets. "It is not easy to play for 19 years with the pressure he has had throughout his career. People love him - he can't go out, do the things he wants to do. Every simple thing he does in his life, people notice. Hats off to him for still coming forward to play cricket."

Tendulkar came to the crease in the afternoon after Rahul Dravid played-on to Brett Lee, and he was soon joined by Sourav Ganguly, as paceman Mitchell Johnson collected his second and third scalps to leave the hosts on 163 for four. Having won the toss, India were in danger of undoing the good start given them by Gautam Ghambir's 67, with Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid departing in the thirties and VVS Laxman making just 12 as the much-vaunted top order again stuttered.

But Tendulkar and Ganguly dug in to thwart their opponents with a stand of 142 in 37 overs, Ganguly notching his own milestone in passing 7,000 runs. The day ended on a positive for Australia, however, as debutant quick Siddle snared Tendulkar just as a 40th Test ton beckoned. Nightwatchman Ishant Sharma joined Ganguly at the wicket as India closed the day shortly after on 311 for five.