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As we have seen about the first test of Pataudi Trophy in the last post, India lost their first test against England by 196 runs, despite Dravid's century. Now coming to the second Test (July 29- Aug 2,2011) played at Trent Bridge stadium, Nottingham, Our Indian captain MS. Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first. It was Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook who opened the innings for England. India started off well by taking quick wickets of two vital England players Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott which brought the score of England to 23/2. Then in came Kevin Pietersen. Strauss and KP had a 50 run partnership which boosted England's score to 73/2. Just between next 15 runs, England lost their next three wickets bringing down the score to 88/6. Praveen kumar took two among them and the other was taken by Sreesanth. At tea on Day 1, England's score became 124/8 after losing Bresman and Ian Bell. At that time as everyone was guessing that England's 1st innings may fall to 150, in came Stuart Board to surprise everyone with his knock of 64 in 66 balls which comprised 9 boundaries. His innnings brought England's score to 221 all out from 124/8.
Image Courtesy : ESPNcricinfo
India started their 1st innings with only 15 overs to spare on Day 1. India sent in Dravid and Abinav Mukund for opening the innings. As Abinav was out for a duck, Laxman came in to bat along with Dravid. India finished Day 1 with a score of 24/1. On Day 2 there was a 93-run partnership between Laxman and Dravid. As Laxman got out for 54 runs, Dravid crossed his half century after lunch. Soon after that India lost Sachin and Raina. As the wickets was stumbling at one end, Dravid and Yuvraj kept up the scoreboard increasing. Yuvraj crossed the half century mark boosting up the score for India. Meanwhile at the other end, playing his temperament innings Dravid scored his yet another brilliant century after Tea on Day 2. That was the second hundred for him in that series(Pataudi Trophy 2011).
Highlights of India vs England, Day 2 of second test, 2011 :
His innings of 117 runs comprised 15 boundaries which included some exuberant shots in the cover, square leg, long on, long off and at third man. It was a treat to all the cricket fans. Meanwhile at the other end Stuart Board of England took his career best of 6 wickets which restricted India's score to 288. Dravid was the ninth wicket to fall.
Another notable event took place in the second test on Day 3. There was a hotchpotch situation before Tea interval on Day 3. The last ball bowled before tea has created that. Ian bell who was finished running and returning back to the pavilion has been termed with run out whixh he was actually not aware about that. Then before Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss could meet the umpire to enquire about this , Dhoni has shown his sportsmanship by asking Ian bell to continue bat. This decision has got more praises for Dhoni which has to be followed by every player.
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Later on England had batted flamboyantly and scored a huge total of 544.Then India chasing a target of 477 stumbled for 158. Hence once again Dravid's innings gone in vain. But on his career front, this century was his 34th century which came in at right time.
There is no better cricketer than Dravid.
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