Dravid becomes top scorer of the year

Kolkata (IANS): Indian batting great Rahul Dravid Monday surpassed England batsman Ian Bell to become the most prolific scorer in Tests played so far this year. ‘The Wall’ has amassed 952 runs from 10 games and looks set to end the year at the number one spot.

Dravid crossed the 950-run mark after making his fifth century of the year, and 36th of his career, on day one of the second Test against the West Indies here at the Eden Gardens. The Karnataka batsman struck a sublime 119 before getting out to an innocuous ball from part-timer Kraigg Brathwaite. The 38-year-old has a good chance of remaining the highest-scorer of 2011 as the three of the top five batsman are from England, who play their next Test against Pakistan in January. Ian Bell leads the English pack with 950 runs, Alastair Cook on 927 and Kevin Pietersen behind on 731.

Dravid, on the contrary, will get to pile on more runs in the second innings here, the third Test in Mumbai and the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne. His only competition seems to be with Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who has scored 923 runs from nine matches and will play two in South Africa by the end of the year.