Cricket: Dravid on the edge of history

India's Rahul Dravid needs one more catch to overtake Australia's Mark Waugh for the most catches in test cricket. Photo / Getty Images

As India secured their first test win on New Zealand soil in 33 years and the odds shortened on a series victory, Rahul Dravid came within touching distance of his own cricketing milestone.

When Dravid ended Martin Guptill's debut innings by juggling an edge in the slips at Hamilton's Seddon Park last Wednesday, he joined Australian Mark Waugh as the most prolific fielder in test cricket.

Dravid and Waugh are locked on 181 catches - meaning Thursday's second test at McLean Park in Napier should provide the backdrop for a historic footnote.

Ironically Dravid could already have outright ownership of the record but a thickish edge from Daniel Vettori's bat flashed past him at first slip as the New Zealand captain enjoyed a life 23 runs short of what would be his third test century.

Failing to pouch an edge from Harbhajan Singh rates as a rarity considering Dravid had proved especially adept when crouched at slip to the slow bowlers during his 132-test career.

While the threat posed by an Indian batting order of Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman pose is well documented, the trio are also match winners when fanning out alongside wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni when the ball is new.

Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid have had a hand in 393 test dismissals between them - and counting.

Tendulkar, the first of the three to debut though the last to reach triple figures, slots next to Dhoni and has 101 catches.

Laxman has 111, while the Dravid now nabs his prey from third slip when the quicks are on and fresh.

England's Nasser Hussain was Dravid's first victim - an enduring memory from his debut at Lord's in June 1996.

Former fast bowler Javagal Srinath was the first beneficiary of Dravid's razor sharp eyes and reflexes. There have been 22 others to share the kudos with the 36-year-old from Indore.

To illustrate his prowess close to the stumps, spinner Anil Kumble's haul includes 55 Dravid catches; Harbhajan has a provisional 44.

Aware the record is within his grasp Dravid was typically modest, preferring to deflect praise to his bowlers.

"To have taken so many catches is really a reflection on the quality of the attack I've been lucky to have played with," he said.

In keeping with his team-first ethos, Dravid insisted he gained as much pleasure from completing a catch than he had from amassing 10,583 runs - and 26 test centuries.

"I love being part of victories and making contributions to wins.

"I think that's what gives me a challenge now - it's not really the number of runs I score now, centuries I score," the team's elder statesman and former captain said.

"Now it's really about if I can make a contribution to the team, that's what'll give me the satisfaction."

While batting first drop is his primary responsibility, Dravid the fielder has also been party to several of Indian cricket's greatest wins of the modern era.

Challenged to nominate the best catch of his career, he pauses briefly and then details three at Australia's expense.

In chronological order, Dravid remembers snaring Mark Waugh at backward short leg during the remarkable 2001 series at Chennai.

"Mark Waugh was on 50 or 60 (57). It was a sharp chance to my right (off Harbhajan). That sticks in my memory because we couldn't give them a big lead."

Waugh was Australia's top scorer before India were set 155 for victory, a target they reached with just two wickets in hand.

Two years later at the Adelaide Oval a Sachin Tendulkar-Rahul Dravid double play wrestled the initiative from Australia.

Tendulkar's occasional leg breaks and googlies had Damien Martyn and Steve Waugh exit in quick succession as Australia stuttered to 112 for five. Ultimately they were dismissed for 196 to leave India 230 for victory.

"If you look at them in the context of the game and how they helped the team win they were critical," Dravid recalled.

"I took Martyn at slip, it was an important one I value and cherish."

India eventually won by four wickets. Naturally Dravid makes no mention whatsoever of his 233 run contribution in the first innings and an unbeaten 72 that really got his team home.

- NZPA