October 11 Friday 2002
Dravid hopes to extend dream run 

MUMBAI: Rahul Dravid said Thursday he was keen on extending his brilliant run with the bat after becoming only the fourth player in the world to hit four centuries in successive Test innings. 

"I want to make the most of my current form," said the 29-year-old prolific batsman, who made hundreds in his last three Test innings in England recently. 

He slammed 100 to help India reach 457 against the West Indies on the second day of the opening Test at the Wankhede Stadium here. 

Australian Jack Fingleton and South African Alan Melville are the other batsmen to have achieved the rare distinction of scoring four Test hundreds in successive innings. 

West Indian Everton Weekes holds the world record of making five centuries in consecutive Test innings.

"I'm happy to get a hundred in these conditions (hot and humid) and hope to maintain my form," said Dravid, who retired because of cramps and dehydration after completing his fourth ton in a row in the closing session.

"I started to feel dehydrated before tea and when I drove to mid-wicket I felt cramps all over my legs. I was not keen to go for the second run, but Parthiv (Patel) pushed me to go for it," said Dravid, who batted 350 minutes.

"At no stage after that did I feel like resuming my innings, but I think I should be able to field tomorrow." The reliable middle-order batsman, nicknamed 'The Wall' for his solid batting, needed just two runs at tea to complete his 14th Test hundred in 65 matches.

He collapsed immediately after reaching the three-figure mark and was carried off the field. Dravid's dream run began in an away four-Test series in England as he emerged the highest run-getter with 602 in six innings. 

He scored 115 against Nasser Hussain's Englishmen in the second Test at Trent Bridge and followed it up with 148 at Headingley and a career-best 217 at the Oval to average more than 100. 

Dravid is different from other Indian batsmen in that he has scored runs in all conditions, having made nine centuries abroad and five at home. His resolute batting under pressure in England was one of the reasons for India's fightback after losing the opening Test at Lord's. India bounced back by winning the third Test at Headingley. The remaining two Tests were drawn as India shared the series 1-1.

Dravid's ability to produce big knocks consistently also helped him become the first batsman to complete 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year. Englishman Michael Vaughan and compatriot Sachin Tendulkar since then have joined him. Dravid said he was happy he was able to place his team in a position where they could put pressure on the 
West Indies. "We are now in a good position as we have already removed both of their openers," said Dravid.

The West Indies were 33-2 in reply at stumps, still requiring 225 runs more to avoid a follow-on.