WORCESTERSHIRE'S bowlers felt the full force of Sachin Tendulkar's free-flowing bat when their weather-hit match against India finally got under way at New Road yesterday.

The World's greatest batsman hit 169 to make up for lost time after the opening two days of the four-day game had been washed out.

His splendid knock helped hoist the tourists to 417-8 off 105 overs by the close last night with the County's most productive bowler being paceman Alamgir Sheriyar, who claimed 4-109.

For Tendulkar it was the ideal preparation for his side's second Test against England at Trent Bridge next week.

In the first Test at Lord's, which India lost by 170 runs, he scored just 16 and 12 and made full use of the precious time available to him in the middle yesterday.

In an innings which lasted just over five hours he collected 30 fours off 246 balls and gave the tourists a massive boost after they had slipped to 168-5, three of their wickets falling on 99.

Virender Sehwag was victim number one when he became the first of two scalps in successive deliveries during off-spinner Gareth Batty's first over.

His departure, while on 42, came when he went for a big hit and was superbly caught by Matt Mason.

Next delivery Wasim Jaffer, on 43, pushed forward to the former Surrey player and only succeeded in edging a catch to wicketkeeper James Pipe.

Tendulkar managed to survive the hat-trick ball despite pushing forward and being beaten outside the off-stump.

Next over Sanjay Bangar drove at Sheriyar and was caught by Pipe for a 'duck'.

The quick-fire fall of wickets enabled the County bowlers to take a close look at Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly operating in tandem before the Indian skipper played forward to Sheriyar and was caught by Pipe for 24.

He had added 61 with Tendulkar whose new partner Parthiv Patel managed just six before becoming one of Sheriyar's well-earned haul.

Rahul Dravid retired hurt on 41 at tea but returned at the fall of the eighth wicket to complete an undefeated 53. Tendulkar was finally bowled going for a heavy hit off occasional bowler Ben Smith.