Cricket: Dravid's diligence comes to India's aid

RAHUL DRAVID'S unbeaten century moved India from a precarious position of 22 for 2 to the relative safety of 248 for 6 and a 27-run lead, when play ended in yesterday's second day of the one-off Test with Zimbabwe.

After India started the day at 6 for 1, Dravid entered after Navjot Sidhu's dismissal. Dravid and Anil Kumble then took India to 49 for 3 before Kumble's departure.

Sachin Tendulkar came to the crease and the two combined for a 75-run fourth-wicket partnership that moved the Indians out of danger. Tendulkar eventually fell for 17, caught at slip off Neil Johnson's bowling.

Dravid continued to hit 14 boundaries in a unbeaten stand of 104, which also included an 88-run partnership with Sauraj Ganguly, giving him his second Test century and raising hopes that India may win only their second overseas Test in 12 years.

Despite early success, Zimbabwe's bowlers buckled in the heat, as Ganguly hit 47. The paceman Henry Olonga was the best of an indifferent attack, taking 4 for 50.

Scores, Digest, page 31