Cricket: Dravid predicts more to come from top order.

Byline: BY RICHARD GIBSON

RAHUL DRAVID has defended India's under-fire top order.

India have lost five wickets in the first half of their innings in both wins of the one-day series against England to date, with the middle-order and tail bailing the hosts out.

The explosive Virender Sehwag, meanwhile, enters today's third match having scored only three half-centuries in his past 34 one-day internationals.

The 27-year-old averages more than 50 in Test cricket, with 11 centuries to his name in 45 appearances.

Yet despite his attacking nature, his limited-over statistics are not on the same level' although he has seven hundreds they have come from 143 matches.

"The top order performed well against Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan," Dravid countered.

"Overall, I am happy with the batting in the one-dayers.

"I agree there could have been a few more runs from the top order, especially in the last two games where we could have done better.

"We have got good starts though we would have liked them to have carried on.

"But this is a seven-match series and hopefully they will do so in the remaining games."

Bowlers dominated the two opening matches, in Delhi and Faridabad, as the usually run-laden shorter form of the game became hard work for the batters.

However, the games in the south are on surfaces which should encourage stroke play rather than sideways movement off the seam and exaggerated spin.

The biggest test perhaps will be the conditions, with the excessive heat and humidity bound to take their toll.

"The humidity is a big challenge for both batsmen and bowlers," Dravid said.

"We need to make sure we stay hydrated."

The climate is much more stifling than Mumbai, where England batsman Owais Shah retired hurt due to hand cramps brought on through lack of fluid.

Fast bowler Munaf Patel is now fully fit again after a heel injury and could make his one-day international debut in one of the final five encounters, having made such an impact in the recent drawn Test campaign between the two sides.

CAPTION(S):

Matthew Hoggard practises yesterday