Day 3 of the Lord's Test - England on Top

So with the England having scored 474 in the first innings, it was now time for the famed Indian batsmen to show the world just why they are rated so highly, but as the third day went by, the highly rated Indian batting failed to click. India managed 286 runs before being bowled out, and managed to avert the follow-on thanks to a brilliant undefeated century by Rahul Dravid.
A very un-dravidian celebration for a very dravidian innings!

The Indian openers started of well by putting on a 50 run opening stand, and the English bowlers looked harmless until Stuart Broad got the ball in his hand. He pitched up the ball and swung it brilliantly. He got Gambhir with a peach of a delivery and soon after young Mukund walked back. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar then proceeded to do what they have been doing for the last decade as they strung together a partnership. Sachin looked deadly despite being circumspect with the moving ball. However when he fell driving a Broad delivery, India were in trouble. The 100th 100 would have to wait. The next Broad over had both VVS Laxman and Dravid dropped and denying Broad what would have been a well deserved 5 wicket haul. However Tremlett soon removed VVS and Raina followed thanks to Swann. Dravid once again battled hard and was the lone figure standing as wickets all around him fell. He scored his 33rd test century and took India to a certain level of comfort as they averted the follow on.

Straight out of the text book

Dravid was the star for India yesterday. His innings was a brilliant study for any youngster watching the game and he looked in control except for that one edge that Swann dropped. Dravid played the short ball and the fuller swinging ball well alike and his celebration when he reached his century displayed just how much this knock meant to him. Even he said later that it was one of his best knocks. The man who was denied a century at Lord’s in 1996 finally has exorcised the ghosts and has his name up there in the honours board.

Back in business!

Stuart Broad – the English star of the day was unlucky not to have a five wicket haul but what he did by his brilliant performance is that, he has kept himself in the playing 11 for the next match. He came into the match with plenty of question marks and on him being the enforcer while Tremlett who is more lanky and has a steeper bouncer would be a better option. However yesterday, he pitched up the ball and it paid rich dividends. A lesson for Ishant Sharma to learn?

So with India still trailing by 193 runs the odds are against India. However if the Indian batsmen can take a leaf from Dravid’s knock yesterday, then surely India have a chance of saving this test.

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Edited by Staff Editor