Dravid practices hard during net session

Sydney: He is the second highest run-maker in Test cricket, but Indian batting veteran Rahul Dravid remains a student of the game and was seen fussing on his technique, during the net session ahead of the second Test against Australia starting here on Tuesday.

Dravid requested coach Duncan Fletcher to have a close look at him while fielding coach Trevor Penny did the throw-downs from a shorter distance at the nets.

Dravid had his stumps rattled on three occasions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) even though one of them turned out to be a no-ball.

Rahul Dravid had his stumps rattled thrice during the first Test at MCG.

The issue which Dravid wanted to sort out was why his defensive strokes on the off-side were creating a gap between his bat and pad.

From afar it appeared that Penny was suggesting Dravid wasn't leaning enough on to his drives while Fletcher wanted his body and shoulder alignment to move in one line while pressing forward.

Sachin Tendulkar looked completely at ease and faced usual throwdowns. This is the venue which he calls his second home and a fair number were willing to bet on his 100th century at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The tailenders also received quite a bit of attention in terms of batting practice.

Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan was one of the early ones to pad up at the nets.

The two selectors, Narendra Hirwani and Mohinder Amarnath, also overviewed the camp.

In the afternoon on Sunday, the two teams were scheduled to have a tea session with Australian Prime Minster, Julian Gillard.

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