1st Test: West Indies v India at Georgetown, 11-15 Apr 2002 CricInfo Live Report

1st Test: West Indies v India at Georgetown, 11-15 Apr 2002
Anand Vasu

India 1st innings: Lunch - Day 4, Tea - Day 4,
Live Reports from previous days

DRAVID, SARANDEEP FRUSTRATE WEST INDIES
The period from lunch to tea can be a phase of consolidation, a time of limited action. With the follow-on avoided and not much to play for, in terms of an India win, Rahul Dravid and Sarandeep Singh saw to it that runs were gathered in the most painless, safe manner. India reached 395/7 when rain forced an early tea break on the fourth day.

So the follow-on had been avoided. And Dravid had notched up his 10th Test ton. Sarandeep Singh had nothing to lose when he took guard. After all, his bowling had hardly set the turf on fire. When he came in at number nine however, he could prove to be a thorn in the flesh of the Windies.

A handy bat in domestic cricket, Sarandeep Singh has been more than a handful as a nightwatchman for his home state – Punjab. Coming in with light fading, with the expressed aim of shielding senior batsmen, the lad has come up with fifties and more that have frustrated opposition bowlers.

Today was no exception. West Indies bowlers would have had little problem with Dravid picking off the runs in a field set to get his partner on strike. Yet, Dravid, even after reaching a valuable ton went on to remain unbeaten on 144 (347 balls, 23 fours) when tea was taken. A beaming Sarandeep Singh with 40 not out to his name had visions of a maiden 50 in just his third Test.

DRAVID TON TAKES INDIA PAST FOLLOW-ON MARK
VVS Laxman got into his groove very early on the fourth day. No nervousness, no tension and no half-measures. Taking the bowling on, Laxman played some exquisite cuts, winding his way to 69 (113 balls, 11 fours) before falling against the grain of play. There were a few stutters, but Dravid with a crucial century managed to take India safely past the follow-on mark. At lunch India were 345/7.

Rahul Dravid’s contribution outside the subcontinent have been sterling. On the day, the middle-order bat was in trouble early on, ducking into a steep bouncer from Mervyn Dillon. Rapped on the side of the helmet, Dravid required medical attention from physio Andrew Leipus before he could bat on.

After that, however, there was no trouble at all for Dravid. Getting well on top of the ball, high left elbow and the full face of the bat saw the mediumpacers get completely frustrated.

Cameron Cuffy on fire, removed Laxman just when Indian fans began to delight at the wide array of strokes on display. Anything short with just a bit of width thrown in was cut away with precision and power, beating the field with ease. Too much came too easy though, and Laxman ended up playing a half-hearted drive that Gayle pouched at slip, off the edge.

Dravid meanwhile motored on manfully, in the hope that Sanjay Bangar would stick around and provide some company. No such luck. Before he could live up to theories that he was lending balance to the side, Bangar was trapped plumb in front be Cuffy for a duck.

Anil Kumble (3) gave Adam Sanford his second Test wicket, presenting Nagamootoo at point with a straightforward catch.

Sarandeep Singh then batted doggedly as Dravid knocked off the runs required to avoid the follow-on. The pair then continued without much fuss, irritating the West Indians with their resistance. When lunch was called Sarandeep Singh had a very handy 27 not out to his name and Dravid was batting 107, his 10th Test ton.