India hit 329 to leave England facing uphill task

LONDON, Aug 24 (Reuters) An impressive century stand between openers Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly helped India reach 329 for seven and set England an imposing target for victory in the second one-day international at Bristol.

The Indian pair capitalised on the advantageous conditions on a hot afternoon to put on 113 following captain Rahul Dravid's decision to bat first.

It was their 18th century partnership when opening in ODIs and established the platform for India's big total.

While India are aiming to level the seven-match series after losing the first one-dayer, England will have to pull off their highest run chase in limited overs cricket to secure victory.

Tendulkar led the way, reaching 50 off 56 balls, although it was a flurry of shots to the short boundaries from partner Ganguly that took India to 100 in the 17th over.

He struck three boundaries off Chris Tremlett, including a six over long-on.

Ganguly made 39 before he was caught by Paul Collingwood off Andrew Flintoff in the 20th over, just one ball after Tremlett had dropped Tendulkar.

It was an unhappy afternoon for fast bowler Tremlett.

Replacing spinner Monty Panesar for his first one-day appearance of the season, he finished with the most expensive figures with naught for 73 from nine overs.

Tendulkar, with a six off Tremlett, recorded a personal milestone when reaching 1,000 one-day runs against England, but he fell one short of his century when he was caught behind by Matt Prior off Flintoff.

It looked harsh on the Indian batsman since the ball appeared to strike his elbow as he reacted to Flintoff's bouncer.

India continued to pile on the runs before Yuvraj Singh, having made 49 off 53 balls, was caught by Collingwood off Stuart Broad in the 41st over.

Flintoff finished with his first five-wicket haul in one-dayers, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar all falling in the closing overs.

Dravid finished unbeaten on 92 off 63 balls.

REUTERS GT BD2357