Classy Dravid's masterful century sets West Indies tough task

KINGSTON: Veteran batsman Rahul Dravid scored his 32nd Test hundred to bolster India's bid for victory in the first Test against West Indies on Wednesday, leaving the hosts to pursue 325.

The former Indian captain scored 112, knocking the fight out of West Indies' resolve before he was the last man dismissed, as the visitors were bowled out for 252 in their first innings about five minutes past the scheduled tea break on the third day at Sabina Park.

Dravid produced a typically dogged innings for close to seven hours, striking 10 fours and one six from 274 balls, and holding the innings together in the face of purposeful bowling from West Indies on a hard, true pitch.

He reached his hundred from 252 balls, dabbing a delivery from Fidel Edwards into point for a single.

Dravid shared in an important ninth-wicket stand of 56 with Amit Mishra, after West Indies captain Darren Sammy removed Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar in the space of three balls, as India slipped to 183 for eight in the first 35 minutes after lunch.

Mishra batted with aplomb, showing great courage against a barrage of short-pitched bowling, particularly from Edwards, armed with the second new ball.

He spent just over 1¼ hours at the crease making 28 before he was caught at third man off Sammy, trying an upper cut.

Dravid soon followed, caught at long-on, going for the second time to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo in the match.

The Indians seemed destined for a much earlier close to their innings, when Sammy trapped Harbhajan dubiously lbw for five. Television replays suggested the ball would have bounced over the top of the stumps.

Two deliveries later, Kumar was bowled for a duck, playing across a well-pitched yorker from Sammy, but Mishra arrived to play the part of spoiler.

Sammy finished with four for 52 from 27 overs, and Bishoo captured four for 65 from 24.5 overs.

Earlier, India lost two wickets - both to Bishoo - in the last half-hour before lunch, sliding to 166 for six.

Left-hander Raina was caught at leg-slip for 27, gloving a sweep at a delivery from Bishoo into the legs of wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr before the ball lobbed to Sammy.

In typical fashion, Dhoni played a few rousing strokes, including a straight six off Bishoo, before he cut the final delivery before lunch from the same bowler straight to the cover fielder, much to his disappointment.

India had been setback early, after they continued from their overnight total of 91 for three, when Fidel Edwards had Virat Kohli caught behind down the leg-side for 15, leaving the Indians 100 for four.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011