Das, Laxman score centuries
The Indians made the maximum use of an inexperienced bowling attack and good batting conditions to
notch up a healthy 370 for three on the opening day of their
three-day match against CFX Academy in Harare on Saturday, with two of their
batsmen forfeiting their innings after scoring centuries.
Put in to bat, the Indians were off to their best start in
the three innings on the tour so far, with openers Shiv Sunder
Das and Sadagoppan Ramesh putting on 86 runs for the first
wicket. Das went on to complete his century and retired after
scoring 110.
Das added 162 runs for the second wicket with V V S
Laxman, who too retired after reaching 100. At stumps, Hemang
Badani was batting on 69 while captain Sourav Ganguly was
unbeaten on 26.
The only batsman out was Ramesh, who was caught by
wicketkeeper Wisdom Siziba off Leon Soma for 42. This
dismissal looked doubtful as Ramesh stood his ground and
maintained that he had not nicked the ball.
The academy attack, consisting of schoolboys -- but for
Mluleki Nkala and Gary Brent -- had trouble containing the
batsmen, who found the conditions to their liking and played
some attractive cricket.
However, the Indians had some close calls in the morning
session when the ball moved around on a damp wicket and the air
was chilly. Both the openers were beaten outside the off-stump
and Ramesh was even caught at the third slip off a no-ball.
However, as they continued for some more time, they settled down
and grew in confidence to play their natural game with Das
being the more aggressive.
Ramesh hit a few delectable flicks off his pads and his
trademark cuts to point boundary before he was declared out.
He was unperturbed at the missed opportunity though. "Its all
in the mind. I will definitely get runs in the Test," he said.
Das continued his elegant innings with some delightful
drives in front of the wicket and several square cuts in the
point region. There was little for the bowlers on the pitch
which had bounce but not much pace.
Das reached his century with a pulled four off Gary Brent
in the 59th over after facing 169 balls and hitting 11 fours.
He scored two more boundaries before tea break was taken.
This was the opener's 13th hundred in his 108th innings
and 63rd first class match since making debut in 1992-93.
The Indians took tea at 248 for one and Das retired at the
same score in order to give the other batsmen an opportunity
to have a hit.
Laxman played without blemish and relied on steers and
cuts. He too reached his century in the final session of the
day and promptly retired. Laxman faced 132 balls for his 100
and blasted 15 boundaries.
The rest of the day was well utilised by Badani and
Ganguly. The two left-handers cracked a few well-directed
shots. When the new ball was taken, Badani even hooked
Campbell MacMillan for a six over square leg.
Badani reached his half-century with a single after
facing 78 balls. By close, he had played 105 balls for his 69
and hit seven fours and six.
Ganguly's 26 came off 71 balls and included four
boundaries.
Scoreboard
Indians (1st innings):
S S Das retired 110
S Ramesh c Siziba b Soma 42
V V S Laxman retired 100
H Badani batting 69
S Ganguly batting 26
Extras (b-4, lb-6, nb-4, w-9) 23
Total (for 3 wkts, 97 overs) 370
Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-248, 3-287.
Bowling: C McMillan 17-3-52-0, M Nkala 13-0-67-0, L Soma
10-0-38-0, G Brent 20-5-56-0, I Coulson 11-1-70-0, S Ervine
15-2-46-0, Rogers 11-2-31-0.
Mail Cricket Editor