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Sachin Tendulkar began his comeback from shoulder surgery at Fenners — Cambridge University’s ground — by scoring a 91-ball hundred for the Lashings World XI in a match against the university.

Tendulkar, who had the operation in March, opened the innings and was greeted with a loud cheer from a crowd close to 1000. The reception from the students was less welcoming, the first ball fizzing past his head.

He looked to be in good nick despite the long lay-off, playing the bowling with ease. His only alarm came when he had made 80 as he spooned a reverse sweep to short leg but the wicket-keeper was unable to cling on to a hard, diving chance.His fifty came up off 42 balls and he brought up his century with a push to mid-on for a single. He was finally out in the 30th over for 155 caught at short mid-on off the bowling of medium-pacer Ben Jacklin. He was surrounded by autograph hunters as he returned to the pavilion.

Before the start, Tendulkar had little to tell the media, only saying that his shoulder was “getting better”. But he would not be drawn into commenting on his readiness for the triangular one-day series in Sri Lanka in August, where India will face their hosts and South Africa.

He is due to play five matches for Lashings, a charity fund-raising side that fields a number of former internationals. Tendulkar said he was looking forward to easing himself back into cricket in a “no pressure, relaxed environment”.

Source:The News