India's Sachin Tendulkar follows through on a shot against Australia during the first final of their tri-nations One-Day International cricket series at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. - AP

SYDNEY, Australia (AP):

Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar scored his 42nd limited-overs century to lead India to a comfortable six-wicket win over Australia in the first tri-series final yesterday.

Man-of-the-Match Tendulkar's unbeaten 117 was his first one-day hundred in 39 matches in Australia.

"I'm not sure why it took so long, but the timing was right tonight," Tendulkar said after the visitors scored 242-4 in reply to Australia's 239-8, reaching the target with 25 balls to spare.

It was India's first one-day win over Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 12 matches.

Rohit Sharma added 66 runs for India, which will take their 1-0 lead into the second match tomorrow (tonight local time) at the Gabba in Brisbane. A third match, if necessary, is scheduled for Friday in Adelaide.

123-RUN STAND

Tendulkar and 20-year-old Sharma put on a 123-run fourth-wicket stand.

"We were probably 30 to 40 runs short of what we needed," said Australia captain Ricky Ponting. "We had a couple of close shaves with Sachin early on, but then he got into his groove and played a super innings."

Earlier, India spinner Harbhajan Singh took the vital wickets of his two antagonists - Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds.

Australia won the toss and slipped to 24-3 in the sixth over, before Hayden and Symonds revived the innings with a 100-run partnership in 103 balls. Symonds (31) was caught at deep midwicket, prompting Harbhajan to set off on one of his trademark gallops around the field to send off Symonds, who accused the Indian of making racist remarks during the second Test in Sydney last month.

The Indian offspinner then claimed Hayden (82), who was batting well and looked set for a century, when the Australian opener top-edged a sweep. Last week, Hayden was reprimanded for calling Harbhajan an "obnoxious weed."

Harbhajan (2-38) punched the air in delight and then taunted the retreating Australian by staging an impromptu mock boxing match with teammate Yuvraj Singh.

Michael Hussey scored 45 for Australia and fast bowler Brett Lee added 16 from 10 balls late in the innings.