Rahul Dravid came to England intent upon doing justice to his role as one of Scotland's overseas professionals, which was evident in his visible disappointment when he was out for 25 in his first game in the National Cricket League, against Hampshire. He made a first-ball duck in a tour game against Pakistan, but then unleashed a majestic 120 not out against Somerset. Scotland still lost that match, a scenario which was repeated a few days later against Nottinghamshire, when Dravid's 129 not out wasn't enough to earn them an upset victory. Dravid remained in sublime form, but the quality of his team-mates meant that his back was against the wall throughout the season.

Scotland averages

August 28 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Sussex by 1 wicket

Dravid's superb season with Scotland ended in disappointment, as Scotland batted first and Dravid made just 1. His fellow overseas pro, Jon Kent, also failed to reach double figures, and Scotland ended up with 191 in their 31 overs. Sussex won by the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain stopped play, though they were precariously placed at that stage, with just one wicket in hand and 19 runs to get.

Scorecard Report

August 26 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Northamptonshire by 8 wickets

Dravid made 24 off 45 as Scotland batted first and were skittled out for 119. Northamptonshire got there easily, for the loss of just two wickets.

Scorecard

August 6 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Northamptonshire by 75 runs

Dravid scored a magnificent 114 - his third century of the season - but, like his two previous hundreds, this one was in a losing cause as well, as Northamptonshire triumphed by 75 runs. Dravid knock was laced with eight fours and a six, and came off just 102 balls, but with little support from the rest of the batsmen, the target of 320 was way beyond Scotland's reach.

Scorecard Report

August 4 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Hampshire by 7 wickets

Just the previous day Dravid and Jon Kent had won Scotland a game, and here again they added 103 runs to lift Scotland to 225 for 5 in their 45 overs. Dravid made 81 off 99 balls, with eight fours. John Crawley's 83 not out won Hampshire the match, but Scotland's overseas pros had, once again, gained them some respect..

Scorecard Report

August 3 National Cricket League

Scotland beat Sussex by 6 wickets

A magnificent victory for Scotland, fashioned by its overseas pros, Dravid and Jon Kent. Chasing 270, Scotland added 57 for the first wicket, before three wickets fell without the addition of a run. Dravid and Kent then added 167 runs before Dravid was out for an efficient 69, off 79 balls, with seven fours. Kent stayed unbeaten with 115 as Scotland won by six wickets.

Scorecard Report

July 9 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Lancashire by 10 wickets

Scotland sank to yet another defeat, with Dravid making a bright 26 off 30 balls before being caught behind off fast bowler John Wood, who took 4 for 22 as Scotland laboured to 168 in their allotted 39 overs. Lancashire got there with ten overs, and as many wickets, to spare.

Scorecard Report

July 7 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Durham by 114 runs

Shoiab Akhtar blew Scotland apart with four early wickets after Durham made 267. Dravid evaded Shoaib's menace, but made only 5, the fifth man out with Scotland's score on just six. Scotland's lower order salvaged some pride by taking the score to 153, but all in all, it was an awful outing for both Dravid and Scotland.

Scorecard

July 6 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Nottinghamshire by four wickets

Dravid played a sublime innings of 129 not out, but like his previous century for Scotland, this too went in vain. Coming to the crease at 7 for 2, Dravid paced his innings masterfully as wickets fell around him. At 40 for 4, Scotland were in dire straits, but Dravid, hitting 14 fours and four sixes, counter-attacked magnificently on a wicket that offered generous assistance to the fast bowlers. Scotland finished on 222 for 7 in their 45 overs, and were in the hunt for a while, until Chris Cairns took the game away for Nottinghamshire with an unbeaten 65.

Scorecard Report

June 17 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Middlesex by 112 runs

Middlesex made 255 and Scotland was never in the game, slipping to 36 for 5. Dravid was lbw to Ashley Noffke for 6. None of Scotland's top five made it to double figures.

Scorecard Report

June 15 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Somerset by 1 wicket

Dravid made a magnificent 120 not out off 97 balls to take Scotland to a commanding 296 for 4 in their allotted 45 overs. The quality of their bowling was appalling though, and Somerset overhauled the target with five balls and one wicket to spare. Dravid's innings was magnificently paced: his first fifty came off 57 balls, his next fifty off 34, and he reached his hundred with a six. In all, Dravid hit 10 fours and three sixes. Scorecard Report

June 7 Tour match

Scotland lost to Pakistan by 1 wicket

Dravid made a first-ball duck - caught behind of Shabbir Ahmed, as Scotland, asked to bat after Pakistan won the toss, made 169. Pakistan made a meal of the chase, eventually squeaking through by just one wicket.

Scorecard Report

June 1 National Cricket League

Scotland lost to Hampshire by 7 wickets

Dravid seemed upset with himself when he was out for 25, off 41 balls, and with good reason. With his dismissal, Scotland could make no more than 201 in their 45 overs, which was not enough to hold off Hampshire. Robin Smith made 82 not out as Hampshire won with two overs to spare.

Scorecard Report