Dravid Century And Sehwag's 319 Puts India In Front
10,000 runs: Rahul Dravid.
©REUTERS/Stringer (AUSTRALIA) Picture Supplied by Action Images
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South Africa 540 (Amla 159, Harbhajan Singh 5-164) & 131-1 v
India 627 (Sehwag 319, Dravid 111, Steyn 4-103) in Chennai
Scorecard
Virender Sehwag could only add ten runs to his overnight score of 309, but Rahul Dravid went on to make a century as India were all out for 627 on day four of the first Test against South Africa in Chennai.
South Africa, who fought back brilliantly with the ball, then moved back into the lead in their second innings as they closed on 131 for one, Neil McKenzie unbeaten on 59.
Sehwag's majestic innings came to an end when he was caught by McKenzie off of Makhaya Ntini, ending a 306-ball stay at the crease but Dravid went on to complete his 25th Test century and pass 10,000 Test runs becoming the third Indian to do so after Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar.
"It is a proud moment," he said after the game. "For me, growing up, I dreamt of playing for India. When I look back I probably exceeded my expectations with what I have done over the last 10 to 12 years.
"I can look back and reflect that I maximised my potential over these years," he said. "To do it in Chennai with my family and friends watching was great."
Tendulkar (nought), Sourav Ganguly (24) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (16) failed to profit on a benign pitch as India look for a lead of around 200 that might give their bowlers something to work with.
That was soon jeopardised once Dale Steyn ripped through the lower order, removing Dhoni, Anil Kumble (three), Harbhajan Singh (nought) and RP Singh (nought) to leave VVS Laxman with an impossible task.
Laxman was eventually the last man out, caught and bowled by Paul Harris for 39 which left Shanthakumaran Sreesanth unbeaten on four.
Steyn ended with figures of four for 103 after his late burst with Ntini and Harris picking up three each.
Openers Graeme Smith and McKenzie batted strongly in the second innings, putting on 53 for the first wicket before Smith was deceived by Harbajan Singh's straight delivery and was trapped in front.
Both men took advantage of some wayward bowling by RP Singh and Sreesanth before spinners Harhbajan and Kumble exerted more control, although McKenzie and Hashim Amla looked comfortable enough in scoring a half-century partnership for the second wicket.
McKenzie moved to his second half-century of the match shortly before close while Amla is unbeaten on 35.
South Africa posted 540 on the opening two days with Amla scoring 159.
� Cricket World 2008
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