CHELMSFORD (England), July 14: Sachin Tendulkar’s single-handed effort saved the Indians from a possible batting collapse against England Lions on the second day of the three-day match on Saturday.

The master batsman was 99 not out at the tea break as India reached 173-4 in reply to England Lions’ first innings total of 413-8 declared. Yuvraj Singh (44 not out) gave Tendulkar much needed support as the tourists were in deep trouble early in their innings at 14-3 which became 65-4 just after the lunch interval.

Seamer Graham Onions struck a double blow in his first over, the second of the innings when he removed opener Wasim Jaffer (1) and VVS Laxman, before Stuart Broad dismissed Dinesh Karthik for 5 and Chris Tremlett sent Ganguly (14) back, caught and bowled.

Tendulkar, though, appeared to be batting on a far flatter pitch. He was lucky to survive two tough chances – first by Ravinder Bopara at leg gully and the other by Owais Shah at gully – but the batting genius built his innings marvellously.

Yuvraj cracked six fours in his 77-ball stay, growing in confidence as his innings progressed.

Earlier yesterday, centurion Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett added 34 in seven overs before England Lions declared their innings. Zaheer Khan with 3-119 off 22 overs was the pick of the Indian bowlers.

Summarised scores:

ENGLAND LIONS 413 for 8 declared (Bresnan 126 not out, Joe Denly 83, Stuart Broad 50; Zaheer Khan 3-119); INDIANS 173 for 4 (Tendulkar 99 not out, Yuvraj 44 not out).—AFP