All's well with Ishant, says team management

The Indian team management quelled concerns over Ishant Sharma's fitness after the pacer walked off bowling just 5.3 overs on the opening day of their first practice match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in Canberra on Thursday.

Sharma sent a scare through the Indian camp when he left the field without completing his sixth over about 30 minutes before lunch, at the Manuka Oval.

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Team officials, however, insisted that Sharma left the field to remove some strapping from his ankle that had loosened and was uncomfortable with it.

They further added that since Sharma was slated to bowl only six overs in the match, there was little point in strapping him up again for the remaining three balls.

The team's media manager said there was no injury while another member from the support staff said the interruption had more to do with team's hectic last 24 hours.

What was a good sign for the Indians was that Sharma was walking around comfortably near the boundary and did not appear to be restricted in his movement.

Ishant gave away seven runs but failed to pick a wicket on a day when the Chairman's XI rode on big centuries from Wes Robinson (143) and Tom Cooper (182 not out) to post a huge 398 for six declared.

The 23-year-old Sharma had made his mark in international cricket on the 2007-2008 tour of Australia.