Dravid, Gambhir hit fifties, India declare at 238/5 on day 2

Leicester, Aug 4 (UNI) Rahul Dravid struck an authoritative 67 not out and Gautam Gambhir joined his skipper with a jittery half century as India declared their first innings at 238 for five in their three-day tour match against Sri Lanka 'A' at Grace Road here today.

At stumps on the second day, Sri Lanka 'A' were 112 for one in their second innings, a lead of 140 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Dravid's first fify-plus score in the tour is a morale-booster for India in their preparations for the final Test at The Oval, starting on August 9. The skipper, who failed to make a meaningful contribution in the first two Tests, was in complete control during his knock of 67.

Walking in twenty minutes before lunch, Dravid had the best conditions to prosper. The ball had lost its shine and whatever assistance there was this morning for the Lankan bowlers had disappeared.

His first boundary was a savage cut which went straight through the legs of the point fielder. The next five were though far more tender. A late-cut, beating both slips and gully, and a clip to midwicket were enough to suggest his authority over the bowlers as he brought up his fifty in 72 balls.

Gautam Gambhir, the other half-centurion, though had a far more jittery knock. Dropped on three, when Rangana Herath grassed a diving chance at third slip in the first over of the morning, Gambhir had several close shaves early on.

A few other edges fell short of the slip fielders and two confident appeals for lbw, against Prasad and Chanaka Walagedara, were turned down by the umpire. It was a charmed life for most part of his innings and just when he appeared to be hitting his stride, he retired.

It was, however, Wasim Jaffer who set the tone for India this morning, reeling sweetly-timed drives off the faster bowlers. His cover-drive off Akalanka Ganegama's first over, the second of the day, was the shot of the morning and he was in cruise mode, glancing and driving with minimum fuss.

But, just two runs short of his fifty, Jaffer gave away his wicket when he advanced down the track to left-arm spinner Herath and spooned a simple catch to mid-on.

VVS Laxman also fell in a similar fashion -- spooning a catch to mid-off -- despite looking in fine fettle in his 32-ball 14.

In reply, the Sri Lankans began their second innings on an ominous note with Delhi pacer Ishant Shrama removing opener ML Udawatte for nought when the team total was a mere two.

But, the Sri Lakans denied the Indians any further success as they accumulated 112 for one in the 33 overs they got in their first innings with first innings half centurion Michael Vandort not out at 61 and MDK Perera giving him company on 48 at the draw of stumps.

UNI