/ 19 May 2006

Dravid century helps India to victory

Indian captain Rahul Dravid stroked a 105 on Thursday to steer India to a five-wicket win over the West Indies with one ball to spare in the opening one-day international at Sabina Park. Dravid's innings, which spanned 102 deliveries, trumped Chris Gayle's earlier effort of 123 that led the West Indies' 251 for six off 45 overs.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid stroked a 105 on Thursday to steer India to a five-wicket win over the West Indies with one ball to spare in the opening one-day international at Sabina Park.

Dravid’s innings, which spanned 102 deliveries, trumped Chris Gayle’s earlier effort of 123 that led the West Indies’ 251 for six off 45 overs.

Mohammad Kaif broke out of a slump to hit the winning boundary on his way to an unbeaten 66 as India totalled 254 for five off 44,5 overs.

Dravid, who hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 12th one-day 100, shared a match-winning partnership of 123 with fellow right-hander Kaif.

The pair, who came together with India at 86 for three in the 18th over, batted with calm fluency to spur India’s chase.

The West Indies had the chance to remove Kaif twice, at six and 35, but floored crucial catches. ”A couple [of] key dropped catches cost us the game,” West Indian captain Brian Lara admitted.

The skipper himself dropped the first, at extra cover off Fidel Edwards, who grassed the second at deep square leg.

The 33-year-old Dravid, in his 288th match, eventually fell to a catch to long-on off Dwayne Bravo as the West Indies took the match down to the wire.

Mahendra Dhoni lashed a typically explosive 18 off 11 balls, but when he was dismissed, India still needed 19 off 15 balls.

Kaif and Suresh Raina sealed the result, which was India’s 17th in a row batting second.

”Too tense for the hearts at the end,” Dravid said.

Earlier, the 26-year-old Gayle cracked 18 fours and two sixes off 131 balls in his 12th one-day century.

The West Indies started quickly after India won the toss and elected to bowl.

The match was reduced to 45 overs per side after heavy early-morning rain cleared and allowed a start after just an hour’s delay.

Gayle and Morton compiled 87 for the first wicket off the first 14 overs before Harbhajan Singh and Ajit Agarkar slowed the progress in their opening spells.

Agarkar made the initial breakthrough as Morton edged to wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Harbhajan claimed Ramnaresh Sarwan at the home team slipped to 94 for two. The right-hander was leg before sweeping across the line.

Lara hit 35 off 43 balls and helped Gayle added a further 82 for the third wicket as the West Indies built a strong platform.

Lara hit four fours and a six before he stroked Munaf Patel to extra cover.

Gayle continued to dominate the innings and hardly played a false stroke on his way to his century.

His 12th 100 took him past Sir Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge with the third-most centuries by a West Indian. Richards and Greenidge both had 11.

Agarkar led the Indian bowling with two for 38, while Harbhajan also impressed with one for 33 off nine overs. — Sapa-AP