We have to bowl and field well to win: Dravid

Sun, Nov 14 10 07:23 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 14 (PTI) Despite enjoying a healthy lead, Rahul Dravid today warned his team-mates not to be complacent and said they would have to bowl and field well in the fourth innings if the home side fancy any chances of winning the second cricket Test against New Zealand here. "We were looking for a lead of about 100. But there is a lot of time left in the game and the wicket is still looking very good, so we will have to bowl and field really well," Dravid said after India finished at a strong 436 for nine in reply to New Zealand''s 350 on the third day at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Praising Harbhajan Singh for his effort of 85 off 82 deliveries to propel India to a strong position, Dravid said, "His was a fantastic innings, even in the last Test he played brilliantly to save the game for us and, today also, because of his innings we enjoy the edge. His partnership with Sreesanth bailed us out." The off-spinner was involved in an unbroken 69-run partnership for the last wicket with Sreesanth. On the lighter vein, Dravid described Harbhajan as the "new Gary Sobers", when pointed out that the offie has scored almost as many runs as Virender Sehwag in the series so far. "Harbhajan is definitely not a bunny with the bat, he was hitting it really sweetly," he added. Dravid also praised Sreesanth for his resolve, saying "credit to Sreesanth, he hung in there and played 50 balls. That''s his credit". Asked about his dismissal after doing all the hard work earlier in the day, Dravid said, "It''s disappointing to get after settling down, after doing all the hard work. As team we are doing pretty well, though some of us may not have gone on to make a big score, we have (almost) achieved the target (of taking a 100-run lead)," said Dravid who scored 45 runs before being trapped by Tim Southee. "At times you do take time to get used to the conditions. You feel good after four or five singles and get ready for the day," he said. On the dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar who is just one short of notching up his 50th Test hundred, Dravid said, "He got quickly but on most day, you expect him to execute that shot." Dravid was impressed with Daniel Vettori''s bowling and New Zealand fielding. "Vettori bowled really well, he is a top class bowler. New Zealands ground fielding was outstanding. They saved a lot of runs when I was batting with Laxman," said Dravid. PTI AH PDS

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