By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network
London, Jul 24: Back in 1996 at Lord’s a young lad named Rahul Dravid made his test debut for India and missed out on a century while scoring 95 runs for his team. Almost after 15 years from then, Dravid strode yet again on Saturday to the wicket and hammered an unbeaten century (103) and ensured his place among the top players in test cricket. So much for class and consistency.
The ‘Wall’ as he is fondly called, Rahul Dravid from Karnataka stood in the middle with all guts and glory as he managed to score an unbeaten century at Lord’s at the end of third day’s play in the ongoing cricket test between India and England at Lord’s to save India from an embarrassing follow on. While wickets fell at the other end, Dravid smashed 15 fours which took 220 deliveries for the coveted knock. In the process, Dravid became the second highest run scorer in Test cricket in the world surpassing Australia’s Ricky Ponting who has scored 12363 runs in 152 matches.
There was plenty of drama at Lord’s on the third day’s play. After the fall of opener Gambhir, the onus shifted to Tamilnadu’s Mukund who did a great job in keeping one end intact. Mukund seemed in good nick and was doing well when clever England bowler Broad forced Mukund to play an outgoing delivery which was dragged by Mukund to his stumps. Mukund was nervous while on 49 and needlessly pulled an almost wide ball into his stumps and the frustration was there to be seen. Every cricketer loves to notch a century if not a half century which Mukund missed. The youngster banged his bat in disgust having lost a great chance to score more.
So then, it was the moment which every spectator was expecting. The arrival of Mr. Sachin Tendulkar. And, what a grand standing ovation the little master received as he walked in full view of everyone. There is no questioning the love of sports for the Englishmen. They love their sports and are ready to applaud anyone who performs at his best irrespective of country or colour. They enjoy every bit of the sporting activity as you can see them sipping the bubbly and cheering every good moment. Whether it is cricket, horse racing or soccer they all support and love every inch of the action.
It is a pity though that Tendulkar tends to fail at least at Lord’s. He is still finding it difficult to break the Lord’s jinx and at least go past 50 runs or more ! Probably, Tendulkar will be seen batting for the last time again at Lord’s again in the second innings of the Indian side unless there is rain. Will he quickly accept that last chance and score a hundred at the Mecca of cricket? Let us see what happens as the match gets into the last stretch. While batting in the first innings at the Lord’s test, Tendulkar managed an impressive 34 runs with 6 fours before being caught by Swann off the bowling of Broad. Cricket is a funny game where the high and mighty can fall without warning. While at the wicket in the company of Dravid, both showed their class much to the delight of the onlooker.
India narrowly saved the follow on and will now have to restrict England if they have to avoid certain defeat which is looming large. Unless there is rain in the next two days, there is no other result which is immediately in sight. With Zaheer now doubtful and the pathetic display by Indian bowlers, one expects a run carnage on the fourth day by England. Skipper Strauss will order some quick runs from his batsmen before declaring and trying to get India out for a possible victory and take the lead in the series.
So far in the first test at Lord’s it has been England all the way. They will not be in a mood to loosen the grip and unless there is some extraordinary show on the fourth day by the Indians, a win for England is very much on the cards.
Denzil Fernandes - Sports Archives: