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Getting Flintoff early is the key: Dravid

Source:PTI
March 12, 2006 20:32 IST

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India captain Rahul Dravid said dismissing his England counterpart Andrew Flintoff early on the final day would open the door for victory in the second Test in Mohali.

England were 112 for five in their second innings, an overall lead of 74 runs, with Flintoff on 16 and Geraint Jones (1) at the crease at close on the fourth day of the match.

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"I think any about 150 would be a good total to chase ... Andy Flintoff is the key man and we have to make sure we don't allow any partnership to develop. Hopefully, we can get the breakthrough early," Dravid said after the penultimate day's play.

Dravid expects the pitch to help the spinners on the last day.

"It is a very good surface. There is a bit of turn and bounce but not much for the faster bowlers," he said.

"Once you get your eye in, it becomes easier to bat," he added.

India resumed the day at 149 for four and soon lost Mahendra Singh Dhoni and were reduced to 153 for five before Dravid's 95 and Irfan Pathan's 52 lifted them to 338.

Anil Kumble (3-41), who claimed his 500th wicket in the England first innings yesterday, then picked three crucial wickets to push England back to the wall.

Dravid was all praise for Kumble, who became the first Indian and only the fifth bolwer in the world to achieve the 500 wickets mark.

"Unbelievable. He brings in so much energy to the game; he never runs out of battery," the Indian captain said.

"He has shown tremendous commitment over the years, to the game and the team. He is the kind of person every team wants to have."

Dravid gave credit to the lower order for India's match-winning position.

"There were good contributions from the tail. We did not believe we would take the lead after being down five down for 150," he said.

Source: PTI
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