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Warne record is upstaged by Sehwag


story.warne.afp.jpg
Warne has now taken more wickets than any other bowler in test history

MADRAS, India -- Shane Warne claimed the world test wicket-taking record on Friday but was still upstaged as Virender Sehwag smashed 155 to give India the edge over a bungling Australia in the second test.

Sehwag waged a lone battle on the second day to hit his seventh test hundred and his second against the world champions as India closed on 291 for six, 56 runs ahead.

No other batsman in the top five got to 30.

Australia's bowlers fought back after tea but were let down by sloppy catching, with six chances floored.

At the close Mohammad Kaif (34 not out) and Parthiv Patel (27 not out) were still together despite both offering chances, having put on 58.

Warne ended the day with three for 93, and 534 test wickets in all, two ahead of his Sri Lankan rival Muttiah Muralitharan.

Australia lead the four-match series 1-0.

Sehwag held firm for almost six hours for his seventh test hundred, getting 84 of his runs in fours and facing 221 balls.

But Warne finally removed him to reduce India to 233 for six after a post-tea collapse triggered by fast bowler Jason Gillespie's removal of Saurav Ganguly (9) and Vangipurappu Laxman (4).

India, 197 for three at tea, lost wickets regularly in the final session just as the tourists had done on the first day on a slow Chepauk pitch of variable bounce.

In the morning Warne removed nightwatchman Irfan Pathan, caught by Matthew Hayden at slip, to claim his 533rd test scalp and surpass off-spinner Muralitharan's world mark.

The 35-year-old, playing in his 114th match, raised his arm and jogged over for a subdued celebration with his team mates.

He then saluted the 35,000-strong crowd with the ball to a standing ovation.

But it was Sehwag who dictated the day.

He added a valuable 55 runs for the second wicket with Pathan before putting on 95 for the third wicket with Rahul Dravid, who contributed just 26 before playing on.

Sehwag, on 61 out of India's lunch score of 101 for two, edged Warne between wicketkeeper and slip for a couple, but then powerfully swept the bowler for three fours to move into the 90s.

The free-stroking batsman had some close shaves before reaching triple figures, a drive off fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz completing his 147-ball century.

He was then dropped on 123 at mid-wicket by Justin Langer as he flicked at the occasional left-arm spin of Darren Lehmann.

Australia, indeed, had only themselves to blame for their problems.

Kaif was dropped on zero and two, edging Warne to Adam Gilchrist, while Patel, on 20, was dropped by Warne in the slips against Gillespie.

Ganguly, meanwhile, was lucky to survive twice against Kasprowicz, nicking a no ball to slip and dropped by Gilchrist on four.

The remaining tests will be played in Nagpur and Bombay.

Afterwards, Warne spoke about his achievement: "At the moment it's a bit of a blur. It's been a long time. I never thought I'd be in this situation when I first started.

"Obviously it felt pretty special. It was a special moment, especially here in India. The crowd here understood what was going on and they were very appreciative. To have them clapping and chanting my name was pretty special.

"It has gone so fast. I'm up to 114 tests and I have missed probably 30 through injuries and things but I feel very proud to get the record and I never thought I would," he added.

"I suppose I'll take five minutes with my wife tonight and just reflect and say that was pretty good."


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