Dravid lifts kent to victory over hampshire

Dravid lifts kent to victory over hampshire
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

LONDON, JULY 23: A fluent unbeaten 73 by Rahul Dravid helped Kent post a six-wicket victory over Hampshire in a English County Championship division one match on Saturday.

Dravid, who scored 137 in the first innings, was a picture of composure and displayed superb balance and flawless technique in his chanceless knock as he guided Kent safely to a target of 205 and out of relegation in division one.

Dravid was ably supported by Robert Key who scored a patient 60 and the two added 115 runs for the second wicket.

For the second time in the match, Dravid came out triumphant in the head-to-head duel against the spin of Shane Warne, who was unable to produce the magic of the first innings, when he claimed four wickets for 81 runs, though the wicket did offer some help to the spinners.

An elated Kent coach John Wright was all praises for the master batsman. ``I reckon this was always likely to turn into a duel between two of the great cricketers in the world and that was how it turned out,'' he said. ``Our guy came out on top despite the fact that the conditions were there to encourage spin and that's really the reason we won.''

Brief scores: Hampshire 320 (JS Laney 81, Shane Warne 69; MM Patel 4-118) & 136 (GW White 80 not out, MM Patel 4-46) lost to Kent 252 (Rahul Dravid 137; Shane Warne 4-81) & 205 (Dravid 73 not out, Robert Key 60; Udal 4-42)