Broad hat-trick stuns India in second Test

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NOTTINGHAM: England's Stuart Broad became the first bowler to take a Test hat-trick at Trent Bridge as India's progress was checked spectacularly in the second Test on Saturday.

Yet at the end of a dramatic second day, India were still 43 runs ahead as England closed on 24 for one in their second innings.

Fast medium-bowler Broad took five wickets for no runs in 16 balls on his way to Test-best figures of six for 46 in 24.1 overs.

His haul also saw him become the latest bowler to deprive Sachin Tendulkar of his 100th international hundred.

India were indebted to Rahul Dravid's elegantly constructed 117 -- his 34th Test century, equalling the record of fellow India great Sunil Gavaskar and his second in as many matches after his 103 not out at Lord's.

Broad though said his remarkable return would count for little if England failed to press on to victory here.

"It's always nice to get a hat-trick anywhere but to get it at Trent Bridge is special," Broad told Sky Sports.

"We have to bat well tomorrow (Sunday) to set it up for ourselves."

He added: "It has been a big turnaround but we're here to win Test matches, not pick up individual performances."

Dravid, who shared stands of 93 with VVS Laxman (54) and 128 with Yuvraj Singh (62), said: "It was hard work. The wicket did get easier than yesterday (Friday)."

"They have a good quality bowling attack and they tested us."

Looking ahead, Dravid added: "We need to take wickets early on. Tomorrow's morning session is going to be crucial.

"We have to restrict them as much as we can and chase what we have got to chase.

Broad's haul came after he top-scored in England's first innings 221 with 64.

"The last two games have been enjoyable so far but it means nothing unless we win the game," Broad said. "You always get a bit of stick when you are not doing well."

It looked as if India would build a commanding first innings lead until the advent of the new ball in the day's final session with the tourists 258 for four off 80 overs.

Yuvraj Singh, playing his first Test in over a year, had played well for his 62 and helped Dravid add 128 for the fifth wicket.

But he fended at a good length delivery from Broad and was caught behind.

Shortly after, Broad removed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who wafted outside off stump and was caught at second slip by James Anderson.

Next ball Harbhajan Singh was lbw, South African umpire Marais Erasmus raising his finger even though replays showed the batsman had got an inside-edge onto his pad.

But, because of Indian objections to ball-tracking technology, there are no lbw reviews in this series so Harbhajan had to go.

However, there was no doubt when Broad clean bowled Praveen Kumar to become the first England bowler to take a Test hat-trick since Ryan Sidebottom achieved the feat against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2007/08.

Broad was only the 12th England cricketer in 134 years of Test cricket to take a hat-trick and the first to achieve the feat at Trent Bridge.

It was also the first ever Test hat-trick against India.

Broad ended the innings by removing Ishant Sharma, taken by Ian Bell at short leg, as India were bowled out for 288 -- a first innings lead of 67 runs.

Broad's fourth five-wicket haul in a Test match surpassed his previous best of six for 91 against Australia at Headingley two years ago.

In the midst of this stunning collapse, Dravid was ninth man out when an uppercut off Tim Bresnan flew straight to Alastair Cook at third man.

Dravid, opening the innings after Gautam Gambhir was ruled out because of an elbow injury, batted for over six hours for his century.

He upstaged Tendulkar, who came out to a standing ovation, but fell for 16 to his sixth ball after lunch when he edged a cut off Broad to England captain Andrew Strauss at first slip.

There was still time before stumps for England to lose Alastair Cook before Strauss and Bell, batting at No 3 after Jonathan Trott suffered a shoulder injury, saw the hosts to the close.