LONDON, England (AFP) — Rahul Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman held firm as India eyed a record-breaking chase in the first Test after Matt Prior’s unbeaten century had swung the match back England’s way at Lord’s yesterday.

India, at the close of the fourth day, were 80 for one in their second innings. They need a further 378 in a minimum of 98 overs on today’s final day to reach their victory target of 458 — a run-rate of 3.85 an over.

This is the 2,000th Test of all-time and no side has ever scored more in the fourth innings to win a match than the West Indies’ 418 for seven against Australia in Antigua in 2002/03.

Dravid, who made 103 not out in India’s first innings, was unbeaten on 34 having opened in place of Gautam Gambhir, who was injured fielding at short leg earlier in the day, at stumps.

Laxman was 32 not out, with the experienced duo’s stand so far worth 61.

Prior, who came in with England having collapsed to 62 for five, said: “I think we’re probably just ahead.”

And the wicketkeeper backed England off-spinner Graeme Swann to make a telling contribution on the last day.

“It’s a huge amount of runs to get and when the ball gets older, Swanny will play a big role.”

Prior, playing his natural game, made 103 not out off 120 balls, including a six and five fours.

It was Prior’s sixth century in 44 Tests and second in as many at Lord’s following his 126 against Sri Lanka last month.

Stuart Broad, who’d led England’s attack with four for 37 in India’s first innings, gave Prior excellent support in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 162 at nearly a run-a-ball as India’s depleted attack toiled on a sunny day.

Broad, who bats left-handed but bowls right, demonstrated his all-round ability with a fluent 74 not out off 90 balls including nine fours.

Prior pulled Suresh Raina for six to go into the 90s before a four off the part-time spinner took him to his third Test century at Lord’s — he also made 126 not out at the ground on debut against the West Indies in 2007.

As soon as Prior got to his century, England captain Andrew Strauss declared on 269 for six and with 30 overs left in the day’s play.

Broad’s joy continued when he struck third ball to bowl Abhinav Mukund for 12, the left-hander playing on to him for the second time in the match.

India were again down to just three frontline bowlers as left-arm quick Zaheer Khan remained sidelined with a hamstring strain.

Fellow seamer Ishant Sharma still rocked England with three wickets for one run in 16 balls before lunch on his way to four for 59 in 22 overs.

Kevin Pietersen had made a superb 202 not out in England’s first innings 474 for eight declared.

But yesterday he was out for one when he feathered a steepling Sharma delivery to India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Five balls later Ian Bell fell in similar fashion for nought.

It was surprising Sharma didn’t take up the attack immediately after lunch but he said he still felt tired after bowling 11 overs on the reel.

India are currently top of the ICC’s Test Championship table, although they will be replaced at the summit by England if the hosts win this four-match series by two clear Tests.

But Sharma, asked if India could win this match, insisted: “Yes, that’s the good thing about the Indian dressing room, we are always confident.”