24 Jul 2011

Dravid fights rearguard battle as Tendulkar out cheaply again

8:31 am on 24 July 2011

England's cricketers are in a commanding position after the third day of the first Test against India at Lord's.

England lead by 193 after reaching stumps at five without loss in their second innings.

Rahul Dravid struck 103 not out as India made 286 all out in their first innings, but no other Indian batsman exceeded 50 as Dravid alternated careful defence with wristy elegance for his 33rd test century and his first at Lord's.

Dravid ensured India avoided the follow-on but England are in the box seat after their 474 for eight declared in their first innings.

Tendulkar, one century short of a record 100 international hundreds, was the centre of attention with a packed crowd willing him to succeed in the 2,000th test and the 100th between the two countries.

The little Indian maestro looked in excellent touch with six sweetly timed boundaries but in the end he could not even improve on his previous Lord's best of 37.

After reaching 34 in a third-wicket partnership of 81 with Dravid, Tendulkar played a tentative prod at a revitalised Stuart Broad and was caught in the slips.