Day of ‘stone Walling’

England’s attempts to dismantle “The Wall” failed again on Thursday as Rahul Dravid lived up to his nickname, scoring a secon...

England’s attempts to dismantle “The Wall” failed again on Thursday as Rahul Dravid lived up to his nickname, scoring a second successive century to put India in a commanding position after day one of the third Test.

Dravid, who made 115 in the second Test, finished on 110 not out as India, looking for a way back into the four-match series, closed on 236 for two after opting to bat.


Rahul Dravid acknowledges applause from the crowd after completing his ton. Reuters Picture
SCOREBOARD
India (1st innings): S Bangar c Stewart b Flintoff 68, V Sehwag c Flintoff b Hoggard 8, R Dravid not out 110, S Tendulkar not out 18, Extras: (b-13, lb-7, nb-12) 32 Total: (For two wickets, 90 overs) 236 Fall of wickets: 1-15 2-185. Bowling: Hoggard 22-8-48-1, Caddick 21-5-51-0, Tudor 21-10-49-0, Flintoff 14-3-34-1, Giles 12-2-34-0

Dravid added 170 for the second wicket with Sanjay Bangar and a comfortable 51 for the third with Sachin Tendulkar who, back at Headingley after spending a season with Yorkshire 10 years ago, was unbeaten on 18.

Dravid, who averages over 50 in tests and has now made 12 centuries, is a fine strokeplayer as well as a man with the most organised of defences.

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Thursday, with the overcast conditions offering early swing and the pitch sharp bounce, was all about the latter and batting England out of the game rather than pleasing crowds.

It was slow but effective. Dravid, who batted for 6-1/2 hours, laid the foundations perfectly for his team of strokemakers after Virender Sehwag’s early departure. Sehwag was tempted by a Matthew Hoggard outswinger in the overcast conditions and edged the ball into Andrew Flintoff’sat second slip. (Reuters)