15 April 2004 Thursday 24 Safar 1425 Dravid's dogged century gives India advantage RAWALPINDI, April 14: India maintained their ascendancy in the crucial third and final Test against Pakistan with vice-captain Rahul Dravid standing out with an unconquered 134 on the second day at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here on Wednesday. ... No money for central contracts, claims PCB RAWALPINDI, April 14: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says it does not have the funds to introduce central contracts for its players. Pakistan vice-captain Yousuf Youhana had urged the board on Tuesday to introduce a contract system to stem a surge in injuries among top players. ... It was hard work: Dravid RAWALPINDI, April 14: Rahul Dravid, India vice-captain who scored an unbeaten 134 on the second day of the third Test on Wednesday, said that he had worked hard after coming to bat at a difficult time. ... High on thrill but low on atmosphere RAWALPINDI, April 14: Virender Sehwag cracked an Indian record 309 and newcomer Umar Gul produced an unlikely golden spell of five for 31. Inzamam-ul-Haq struck a masterly century and Sachin Tendulkar was left stranded on 194 by a surprising declaration. ... Laxman played innings of the day PAKISTAN found out at first hand what Murphy's Law was all about when Shoaib Akhtar went off the field with a wrist injury halfway through an over of a magnificent spell. ... Photographers call off strike RAWALPINDI, April 14: The photographers covering the final Test between Pakistan and India at Pindi Cricket Stadium staged a brief strike on Wednesday to protest against alleged maltreatment ... Nasir bowls Karachi to easy triumph KARACHI, April 14: Left-arm paceman Nasir Khan finished with match figures of 11 for 123 as Karachi cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Peshawar in their final Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match of the season at the National Stadium here on Wednesday. ... Warne hungry for county success LONDON, April 14: Shane Warne, who grabbed 26 wickets to flatten Sri Lanka last month and take his tally to 517, only two wickets behind retired West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh's world record, has set himself no targets for the English County season. ... Lara record will spur Hayden, says Gilchrist SYDNEY, April 14: Brian Lara's superb world record Test innings will spur Australian Matthew Hayden to retrieve his old record, Australian Test vice-captain Adam Gilchrist predicted on Wednesday. ... McGrath hoping to play again SYDNEY, April 14: Australia pace bowler Glenn McGrath has recovered from a persistent ankle injury and is hoping to resume his international career next month. ... Vaughan century puts England on course to save Test ST JOHN'S, April 14: Captain Michael Vaughan hit his first century of the series to put England on course to save the fourth and final Test against West Indies on Wednesday. ... Players give ultimatum to ZCU HARARE, April 14: Thirteen players have handed the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) an ultimatum that details their concerns and examples of alleged misconduct by officials. ... PBF seeks LEA help KARACHI, April 14: Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) has sought help from law enforcement agencies (LEA) and higher authorities to hold Regional Qualifying Rounds for Athens Olympics in a befitting manner. ... India crush Malaysia CANBERRA, April 14: A confident Indian team steamrolled Malaysia 4-1 in the mens Four-Nations Challenge field hockey tournament on Wednesday. Despite the comprehensive win ... Neville stuns Leicester with surprise winner LONDON, April 14: Gary Neville was Manchester United's unlikely match-winner as they struggled to beat lowly Leicester City 1-0 and edge closer to second-placed Chelsea in the Premier League on Tuesday. ... Bogomolov stuns Fish, Roddick routs Carlsen NEW YORK, April 14: Top seeded American Andy Roddick moved on to the second round of the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships with a 6-1 7-5 win over Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen in Houston on Tuesday. ...

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