Sydney, Jan 6 (IANS): Batting great Sachin Tendulkar was nearing his 100th international ton as India made 243 for three in the second innings, trailing Australia by 225 runs, at lunch on the fourth day of the second cricket Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Friday.

Tendulkar was unbeaten on 70 and V.V.S. Laxman on 44 as India scored 129 runs during the morning session's play after resuming at the overnight score of 114 for two. The only wicket to fall in the day was that of Gautam Gambhir, who made a hard-earned 83.

Australia declared their first innings at 659 for four after bowling out India for 191 runs.

On the fourth day, Peter Siddle removed Gambhir, who missed out on a well deserved century, caught at point by David Warner. But there was no respite for the Australian bowlers as Tendulkar came out blasting and raced to his 65th Test half-century.

Tendulkar was patient when he walked out to bat last night and was unbeaten on eight runs from 42 balls, having allowed plenty to go through to the keeper.

But during the morning session's play, he was in a hurry. The 42 runs he scored this morning to bring up his half-century came off just 47 balls. The batting maestro attacked the Australian bowlers with an array of majestic shots.

With Laxman, Tendulkar added 75 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket stand.

Laxman, who had scores of 2, 1 and 2 in the series so far, did not look comfortable at the start. After surving an early onslaught from the Australian quicks, Laxman got back his touch and looked like the player who had tormented the Australians during the past decade.