Tendulkar boosts mediocre India

CENTURION, South Africa, Dec 3 (Reuters) Sachin Tendulkar ended a run of indifferent form to bolster India's batting in the fifth and final one-dayer against South Africa today.

Tendulkar top scored with 55 in a mediocre total of 200 for nine.

He last reached a one-day half-century eight innings ago.

Tendulkar opened the batting with Virender Sehwag and helped rebuild the innings after Shaun Pollock dismissed Sehwag (11) and VVS Laxman (0) with consecutive deliveries.

Laxman was playing for the first time on tour after being flown in to replace the injured Rahul Dravid.

Mahendra Dhoni propped up the innings to score 44 before he heaved a delivery from Makhaya Ntini to long on where Andre Nel sprinted and dived to take a fine catch.

South Africa already hold an unbeatable 3-0 series lead.

REUTERS PM KN1741