Sachin Tendulkar checks out Lord's before the memorial game

Tendulkar starred in a match of dazzling strokeplay which the MCC hope will raise more than £1m for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

The one-day match was contested by players from all nine Test-playing nations.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul's unbeaten 127 had put the MCC in command as they batted first and amassed 261 for four in 50 overs

But the Rest of the World, captained by Tendulkar and featuring Aravinda de Silva, who hit 81, reached their target with 39 balls to spare.

Early wickets fell

Tendulkar took time to get going while wickets fell at the other end.

Javagal Srinath trapped Sanath Jayasuriya lbw with 10 on the board in the fourth over.

Then Allan Donald had Saeed Anwar caught at mid-on off his sixth delivery to reduce the Rest of the World to 54 for two.

But with new partner de Silva at the crease Tendulkar started to play his shots.

He was finally out, bowled by countryman Anil Kumble, for 125 off 114 balls.

By then the target was easily in sight, and not even the loss of de Silva for 81 could stop them.

Worcestershire pair Graeme Hick and Tom Moody steered the world side home, Hick hitting the winning runs with a huge four to long-off.

MCC hit big score

Earl Spencer enjoys the match, in memory of his sister, Diana

Earlier the former England captain Mike Atherton led out the MCC side and looked in good form as he hit 28.

But with the score on 29 his partner Aamir Sohail edged a ball from Wasim Akram to wicketkeeper Andy Flower for the first wicket.

West Indian Chanderpaul joined Atherton and continued the quick scoring.

But when Atherton reached 28 he mishooked Chris Cairns, who had replaced Wasim at the pavilion end, and was caught at cover by substitute fielder Hamish Marshall.

Atherton's departure left MCC at 57 for two but Chanderpaul and Azharuddin shared a stand of 147 to put the MCC in command.

Azharuddin was finally bowled by Ian Bishop for 61 when the score was on 204.

Saurav Ganguly added a late 14 and Brian McMillan partnered Chanderpaul in the final run chase. McMillan was left unbeaten on seven.

Before the match captains Atherton and Tendulkar tossed up with an 1848 florin.

The coin was selected because the match coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Dr W G Grace, one of the sport's greatest players.

The match was broadcast live on the Lord's Website, with the BBC's Jon Agnew and Peter Baxter providing the commentary.

MCC v Rest of the World XI

MCC Won Toss

Rest of the World XI beat MCC by 6 wkts

MCC Innings

M A Atherton     c Sub b Cairns            28

Aamir Sohail     c Flower b Wasim Akram    12

S Chanderpaul    not out                  127

M Azharuddin     b Bishop                  61

S C Ganguly      c Bishop b Moody          14

B M McMillan     not out                    7

Extras           lb5 w5 nb2                12

Total 4 wkts Innings Complete (50 overs)  261

Fall:  1-29  2-57  3-204  4-226

Did Not Bat: I A Healy, A Kumble, J Srinath, A A Donald,
G D McGrath.


Bowling: Wasim Akram       10  0 46  1

         Bishop            10  0 63  1

         Cairns            10  1 34  1

         Mushtaq Ahmed     10  0 53  0

         Moody             10  1 60  1

Rest of the World XI Innings
S T Jayasuriya       lbw b Srinath             8

S R Tendulkar        b Kumble                125

Saeed Anwar          c McGrath b Donald       14

P A de Silva         c & b McGrath            82

G A Hick             not out                  21

T M Moody            not out                   2

Extras               lb3 w3 nb4               10

Total 4 wkts (43.3 overs)                    262

Fall:  1-10  2-54  3-231  4-240

Did Not Bat: A Flower, Wasim Akram, C L Cairns, I R Bishop, Mushtaq Ahmed.

Bowling: McGrath               10    0  50  1

         Srinath                9    0  39  1

         Donald                 7    0  29  1

         McMillan               4    0  27  0

         Kumble               9.3    0  57  1

         Aamir Sohail           2    0  37  0

         Ganguly                2    0  20  0


Umpires: D R Shepherd and S Venkataraghavan