Monday, April 6, 2009

DRAVID BREAKS RECORD OF MOST CATCHES IN TEST CRICKET


Celebrated Indian batsman, Rahul Dravid, overhauled Mark Waugh’s world record of 181 catches in Test cricket.Dravid achieved this feat on day three of the third Test between India and New Zealand. He caught Tim McIntosh off Zaheer Khan’s bowling, the first Kiwi wicket to fall in the second innings. This was Dravid’s 182nd Test catch. Dravid, standing at third slip was quick to dive forward and low to his left to take a brilliant catch, as Zaheer’s good length out-going delivery induced an edge off the bat of McIntosh. After holding on to the ball, the 36 year old was bubbling with emotions as he kissed the ball and celebrated animatedly with his teammates with the enthusiasm of a young kid.The stylish batsman, later in the innings, added one more to his kitty as he pouched Jesse Ryder at first slip off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh. This was catch number 183 for the Great Wall of India.India’s best slip fielder, now, sits pretty on the records table, as Ricky Ponting, the next highest catcher in Tests among the current lot of players is 35 catches away from him with 148. The Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena is third on the current players’ list with 142.In one-day cricket too, Dravid has established himself as one of the safest hands in cricket, as he stays put on the 8th position with 121 grabs which is 38 less than the highest.

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