The Hindu : Dravid dwells on his responsible innings

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2002

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Sport - Cricket

Dravid dwells on his responsible innings

By Vijay Lokapally

The scene of the scorer putting up his legs and catching some sleep on a waterlogged Bourda Oval says it all. The final day's play of the opening Test between India and West Indies was abandoned due to wet conditions on Monday. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan.

GEORGETOWN APRIL 15. It was Lake Bourda here on Monday. The local cricket fan went to work, not even bothering to check the ground. It was flooded and even the teams did not stir out of their cosy hotel rooms.

The umpires, Messrs Daryl Harper and Asoka De Silva, did not waste any time in calling off play, so flooded was the Bourda. With the canal surrounding the stadium overflowing, there was no way water could be pumped out of the Bourda.

When rain came pounding at the Bourda, it was nothing untoward. It is said that cricket would ensure there would be no drought in Guyana. Just put stumps at two ends, announce a cricket match and sit and watch rain pelt the venue.

Rain and cricket have a special rapport at the Bourda. The last session of the fourth day was ruined by rain and play was called off early but it poured at night too.

The average Guyanese cricket fan was not at all surprised by this development even though the cricket administrators express helplessness at hosting draw after draw at this venue.

India and West have not been able to force a result in any of the five Tests played at this venue, this becoming the sixth in that category. It has been a jinx, say the organisers, because whatever part of the season, cricket at Guyana has mostly remained uninspiring. This Test being no exception.

This contest became effectively dead once India crossed the follow-on mark, thanks mainly due to Rahul Dravid's knock. After losing three wickets, the onus fell on the middle order where Sachin Tendulkar and Dravid had a role to play.

"To avoid the follow-on was the main focus for us and also to bat long enough to ensure a draw. They bowled well and it was important to occupy the crease for long period", said Dravid on his innings.

The Indian vice-captain went through some agonising moments at the crease when a ball from Mervyn Dillon crashed into the grill of his helmet.

Dravid explained "it was just one of those things really. I ducked into the ball and didn't pick it. I was a bit jaded initially and the blow was hard. It was throbbing but I took some pain killers because I had to bat on. It just wouldnt have been right to leave the field at that point of time. I had aimed at batting on until we passed the follow-on mark but once the pain subsided I decided to continue batting".

It was brave on his part no doubt but Dravid knew the significance of batting on. "It helps in getting used to the pace and conditions. The West Indians bowled a good line, especially Cuffy. Being a senior player was a responsibility he was enjoying.''

I don't see my role any differently than the others but being a senior makes you that much more responsible. I've enjoyed this responsibility. When time comes, it becomes important for the senior guys to put their hands up and be counted", he noted.

Before the players were driven indoors, Dravid and Sarandeep Singh, with an unbeaten partnership of 120, had ensured that there was no result from the match. A draw suited India fine because it gave the team the confidence to look ahead with lot of hope.

"To be frank, there was no special effort actually. I love the atmosphere in the West Indies. I was keyed up for this series and was actually looking forward to doing well. West Indies is a great place to play cricket and its good to get a big score at the start of the series", he added.

It is not often that an Indian tail-ender survives a session. Sarandeep did exactly that as the Indians did not lose a wicket in the second session.

Dravid was all praise for Sarandeep. "All credit to Sarandeep. He showed lot of character and lot of courage. He showed lot of discipline as well. I thought he coped pretty well with the responsibility", he said.

Dravid did not forget V.V. S. Laxman for his brilliant innings. "It was disappointing that Laxman couldn't carry on. He makes batting look so easy. In fact, he makes everyone at the other end look inadequate almost. Big things are expected of him in the series".

On his tenth century, Dravid said "it was one of my better ones considering the conditions but I rate the 190 at Hamilton as my best".

* * *

Scoreboard
 
 
WEST INDIES —  1st innings:       501 

INDIA —  1st innings:

S.S. Das b Sanford                       33
(147m, 98b, 3x4)
D. Dasgupta lbw b Cuffy                   0
(8m, 5b)
S. Ganguly c Nagamootoo b Dillon          5
(24m, 12b)
S. Tendulkar lbw b Nagamootoo            79
(191m, 136b, 13x4)
R. Dravid (batting)                     144
(436m, 345b, 23x4)
V.V.S. Laxman c Gayle b Cuffy            69
(126m, 113b, 11x4)
S. Bangar lbw b Cuffy                     0
(10m, 8b)
A. Kumble c Nagamootoo  b Sanford         3
(12m, 11b)
Sarandeep Singh (batting)                39
(165m, 119b, 1x4)
Extras (b-4, lb-12, nb-5, w-2)           23
                                        ---
Total (for seven wkts. )                395
                                        ---

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Dasgupta), 2-21 (Ganguly), 3-99 (Das), 4-144 (Tendulkar), 5-263 (Laxman), 6-270 (Bangar), 7-275 (Kumble).

West Indies bowling: Dillon 32.3-5-115-1 (nb-2), Cuffy 27-6-57-3 (w-2), Sanford 25-5-81-2 (nb-2), Nagamootoo 40-13-103-1 (nb-1), Hooper 12-4-16-0, Gayle 4-2-7-0.

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