Mongia slams ton against WI

Left-hander Dinesh Mongia cracked an unbeaten 101 to stake his claim for a Test slot on the first day of a three-day tour match against West Indies on Friday.

Mongia hit 12 fours and three sixes in an entertaining 147-ball knock before Indian Board President's XI captain Mohammad Kaif declared at 275 for eight.

The 25-year-old Mongia was a member of the Indian squad during a five-Test series in the Caribbean earlier this year but could not force his way into a batting middle order boasting Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and Vangipurappu Laxman and did not play in any of the matches.

West Indian paceman Mervyn Dillon started Friday's game with two early blows after Kaif won the toss and elected to bat first.

The Trinidadian, who had picked up 23 wickets during his team's 2-1 Test series win over India in the West Indies earlier this year, exploited an unusually green wicket but did not find much support from left-arm paceman Pedro Collins.

Dillon removed opener Sanjay Bangar for two as he edged to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at third slip and then had left-hander Gautam Gambhir caught by a diving Wavell Hinds at forward short-leg for 11.

The Board XI were tottering on 17 for two at that stage but left-hander Hemang Badani (67) and Kaif (40) came together for a patient 91-run third-wicket stand to steady the innings.

Kaif cut loose after lunch with three boundaries, but was caught by Ramnaresh Sarwan from skipper Carl Hooper's accurate off-spin.

Badani raised his half-century with a stylish cover drive off Dillon and then struck him for two more fours but was bowled by Collins with a delivery that nipped in sharply.

Mongia, a regular member of the Indian one-day squad, hit two sixes off Hooper and lofted leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo for another as he pillaged 78 runs in the final session, when the touring side made several bowling changes.

Wickets were falling regularly at the other end before tailender Amit Mishra (10) dug in with Mongia and brought up 56 valuable runs for the eighth wicket.

At close, West Indies were 20 without loss in reply with openers Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds at the crease.

India face West Indies in a three Test series, starting in Mumbai on October 9.

Mail Cricket Editor