Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Srinath, Prasad too star in rearguard action as India nose ahead
New Zealand8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;366 amp; 45-0
India8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;8230;..416
The 27-year-old right handed batsman from Karnataka saved India from total embarrassment in India8217;s first innings at Hamilton on day three of the third Test. His third Test century would have to be one of his best innings because it was on a pitch that encouraged the seam bowlers and because of the state of the match. The 190 was his highest Test score and it was the highest score against New Zealand at this ground, with the previous best being 119.
It was innings of class, patience and admirable skill as he scored runs all around the wicket. He did everything right and provided a wonderful role model for youngsters to watch and learn whereas to emulate the master Sachin Tendulkar would be too much for most mortals to achieve.
Simon Doull8217;s superb spell of swing bowling was a delight to watch but Dravid was equal to the occasion, judging the line and length of the ball to perfection more so than any other batsman in this match and during the series. It was a contest of great quality between bat and ball. His sheet anchor role and the way in which he accepted responsibility allowed India to reach 416 in the first innings. This gave India a surprising first innings lead of 50, when it looked as though they may have been bowled out for 220 and concede a big lead to the Black Caps of 140 or more.
Srinath, with a career best 76, played his role in supporting Dravid and the eighth wicket partnership of 144a record against New Zealand 8212; was also crucial to keep India alive in this match. The Black Caps will rue the four dropped catches given bySrinath behind the wicket, with the first chance going down when he was on five and the score on 221.
Dravid8217;s 490 minute innings, which included 120 runs in boundaries was by far the best innings of the match, not only in runs scored but in the way he got them. Horne8217;s 63 was energetic, Twose8217;s 87 courageous, McMillan8217;s 92 belligerent, Srinath8217;s 76 streaky, Tendulkar8217;s 67 uncharacteristic for his all-round ability, while the other top class batsmen from both teams have currently failed to make and impression.
I will watch the development of Dravid8217;s career with interest. In 40 Test innings he has amassed 2023 runs at a very healthy average of 54.67. He has scored fifteen Test 50s, averaging one every 2.66 times he goes to the crease which is a high success rate. Even the great Tendulkar takes 5.38 innings to reach 50.
Many astute players say that Dravid is one of the best players on all types of conditions around the world. The future will determine this, but he is starting to fashion some goodresults. For example, 95 at Lord8217;s against England, 92 at Georgetown against the West Indies, 148 at Johannesburg against South Africa, 118 against Zimbabwe at Harare and his 93 at Mumbai against Sri Lanka.
This confirms his ability to adapt and play on all types of pitches. However, the real test will be when he bats and has to score against Australia in Australia and combat the bowling skills of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. I suspect he will be able to cope with that situation admirably. He has been dismissed in the 90s on four occasions so it was pleasing to see him go on and reach the three figures and get a big hundred. Australia8217;s Steve Waugh holds a unique record of being dismissed in the 90s on nine occasions.
With Prasad also making his best Test score of 30 not out, it was India8217;s day, rubbing extra salt into the wound and denying New Zealand a commanding position. With two days remaining, the outcome of the game is still finely balanced.
Scoreboard
New Zealand 1st innings:366
India 1st innings; overnight 196-5: Navjot Sidhu c Parore b Cairns 1, Ajay Jadeja c Nash b Doull 12, Rahul Dravid c McMillan b Cairns 190, Sachin Tendulkar lbw Nash 67, Saurav Ganguly c Fleming b Doull 11, Mohd Azharuddin c Fleming b Cairns 4, Nayan Mongia c Horne b Nash 7, Anil Kumble c Parore b Doull 0, Javagal Srinath c Twose b Wiseman 76, Venkatesh Prasad not out 30, Robin Singh Jr c Fleming b Cairns 0; Extras b2, lb4, w8, nb4: 18. Total all out in 128.3 overs 416
Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-17, 3-126, 4-164, 5-195, 6-204, 7-211, 8-355, 9-416Bowling: Doull 36-15-64-3, Cairns 22.3-3-107-4, Nash 37-10-98-2, Vettori 16-2-71-0, McMillan 4-0-24-0, Wiseman 13-2-46-1.
New Zealand 2nd innings: Matthew Bell batting 18, Mattew Horne batting 25; Extras lb1, w1: 2. Total for no wicket in 16 overs: 45Bowling: Prasad 8-2-19-0, Singh 2-0-15-0, Srinath 2-1-4-0, Kumble 4-2-6-0.
