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The shot was on, says Dravid

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: AFP

STAND-OUT PERFORMANCE: Brett Lee says he has now learnt when “to go full out” and “when to pull back.”

Perth: Rahul Dravid admitted he was disappointed with being dismissed at a crucial moment on Wednesday, but reminded observers of the “fine line between being positive and throwing it away” when asked about the stroke.

Dravid, who made 93, left the WACA cross with himself. He banged his bat on the turf several times before walking off.

“It’s obviously disappointing, but the shot (slog-sweep) was on,” said Dravid after day one of the first Test. “When you connect it looks ok, but when it doesn’t come off you can end up looking stupid. I’m disappointed it happened at the end of the day when the new ball was due. But, there’s lots of cricket left in the game, lot of fighting to be done.”

Was India happy with its position? “We’d have taken four down for 300, but there were some good shows of character through the day. If we can get a partnership and some good lower-order batting tomorrow we can get to about 400, which is what we set out to achieve.”

Dravid termed the strip a “good cricket wicket,” adding it would be “interesting to see how it pans out” and “whether the cracks open up.”

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“When it’s keeping up and down, even the faster bowlers are tough to face,” said Dravid.

Asked about his conversation with the umpires when Michael Clarke was trying to hurry him into taking strike, Dravid replied: “They were trying to push their over-rate up, which was fine. But, they were not giving the batsman enough time to look up. It wasn’t really an issue.”

Australia’s over-rate on Wednesday was outrageously poor — despite play extending 30 minutes beyond the scheduled close, the host managed to bowl just 84 overs.

On the difference between opening and batting at three, Dravid said: “I wouldn’t attribute the runs to the position. It’s hard to explain even for us. I’ve never really done well as an opener, but I haven’t come to the bottom of it. It just feels different (at number three).

“I’m obviously pretty familiar with it and it’s nice to be back. The wicket also had some pace and bounce which allowed the ball to come on, which I like.”

Brett Lee, described by Dravid as Australia’s “standout bowler”, said he had learnt when “to go full out” and “when to pull back” in terms of pace.

“Sometimes you bowl at 95 per cent to try and hit the right areas and when you need a wicket you go all out. Hopefully, it’ll be a quick clean-up job (on Thursday).”

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