Dravid hits 34th ton, equals Gavaskar's record

Nottingham - 31 July 2011 (PTI): Senior batsman Rahul Dravid struck his 34thTest centuryto draw level with Sunil Gavaskarand become the joint second highest century maker fromIndiaon the second day of thesecond Testagainst England.

Playing his 155th Test, Dravid achieved the landmark when he paddle-swept off-spinner Graeme Swann to the fine leg boundary atTrent Bridge.

The 38-year-old batsman, opening the batting in place of the injured Gautam Gambhir, celebrated the milestone by raising his bat to the dressing room where his teammates and support staff applauded his feat.

Sachin Tendulkar leads the all-time list of Test century makers with 51 tons.

Thanks to his solid knock, Dravid now sits joint fifth along with West Indian greatBrian Laraon the all-time list of most Test century makers.

Dravid, who signalled his arrival on the international scene with a classy 95 at Lord's way back in 1996, had recorded his 33rd ton in the previous Test against England at Lord's last week.

Dravid, known as "The Wall", has also got to the three-figure mark during the Indian team's tour of the West Indies recently.

Dravid, who came into this match with 12453 runs from 154 Tests at an average of 52.76, stands second on the all-time list of highest run-getters in this form of the game behind Sachin Tendulkar.

The former India captain's highest Test score is 270, which came againstPakistanin 2004.

source: PTI