Dravid equals world record of century partnerships

NEW DELHI: Rahul Dravid missed his 25th century Wednesday but his workmanlike 93 on the opening day of the third Test against Australia in Perth was reason enough to cheer him as he consolidated his world record of maximum century partnerships.

With his 139-run stand for the third wicket with Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid took his century partnerships to 71. This association helped India to 297 for six wickets at stumps.

Tendulkar, with 65 partnerships of hundred plus, is now second in the list, followed by retired Australian Steve Waugh (64).

Dravid's 10th half-century (183 balls, 14x4s) against Australia was his 51st in Test cricket. He now has 75 fifty-plus innings, comprising 24 centuries and 51 half-centuries.

The Karnataka batsman's 93 was his third score in the 90s against Australia in Australia. His previous two Down Under were 92 at Melbourne and 91 not out at Sydney during the 2003-04 series.

Overall, the right-handed batsman has recorded 10 scores in the 90s - three against Australia, two each against West Indies, Sri Lanka and England and one against Zimbabwe - equalling Steve Waugh's record.

Dravid's ouster in the 90s was the second time an Indian has been dismissed in 'nervous nineties' at WACA. Mohinder Amarnath had made 90 in December 1977.