South Africa beats India by 4 wickets

Belfast, June 26 (UNI) A sedate 99 by Sachin Tendulkar and his 158-run third wicket stand with Captain Rahul Dravid went in vain as South Africa beat India by 4 wickets in the first of three match ODI series here today.

Proteas skipper Jacques Kallis remain not out 91 to steer his side to victory wih three balls to spare.

He was later declared Man of the Match.

For India, Piyush Chawla, put to three for 47 from ten overs, was the most successful bowler.

Earlier Indian lower middle order failed to click in the slog overs and wasted Tendukar and Dravid differed to end their innings at 242 for eight.

Tendulkar was unfortunate as he fell just one run short of what could have been his 42nd ODI hundred.

Tendulkar curbed his natural aggression and his patient knock of 99 came off in 143 deliveries with 12 hits to the fence. The only time the little master rushed was when he, in a bid to complete his century, ran for a second run that was not there to be. Morve van Wyk's throw from cover point region found Tendulkar several inches short of his ground and the diappointed batsman walked back after doing all the hard work.

Dravid, who was more prolific of the two, made his 74 in 93 balls with six boundaries before being castled by Andre Nel.

India, who were 211 for four in the 46th overs at Tendulkar's departure, lost another four while adding just 31 more runs to the total with Dinesh Karthik chipping in late.

Nel took three wickets for 47 while Kallis and Andrew Hall scalped two apiece.

UNI