Gritty Dravid steadies India

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 15 (Reuters) Gritty batting by Rahul Dravid propped up India's innings on the first day of the first test against South Africa today.

Dravid scored 30 not out to take India, who won the toss and chose to bat, to an early tea on 101 for three.

VVS Laxman was one not out when lightning forced the players to leave the field 15 minutes before the scheduled interval.

India stumbled to 14 for two before Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 44, shared 69 in a solid partnership for the third wicket.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini made the initial breakthrough for South Africa when Wasim Jaffer offered no stroke and was trapped in front for nine with an inswinger.

Six balls later medium pacer Shaun Pollock had Virender Sehwag caught behind by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for four.

Pollock went into the match needing five more victims to become the first South African to take 400 wickets in tests.

Dravid and Tendulkar batted conservatively together until what became the fourth over before tea when Tendulkar pushed forward to an away-swinger from fast bowler Jacques Kallis and edged a catch to AB de Villiers at second slip.

The patient Dravid, playing his first match after injuring a finger in a one-day international on November 26, batted for more than two hours and faced 73 balls.

Play started 90 minutes later than scheduled because of damp patches on the pitch.

REUTERS PDS BD2022