India elect to bat against Sussex

Indian captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and elected to bat against Sussex in their four-day opening match of the England tour in Hove on Saturday.

The Indians included both V V S Laxman and Yuvraj Singh, who are fighting for the last specialist batsman's slot in the Test squad, while Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were rested.

Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik opened the batting and was to be followed by Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Mahendra Singh Dhoni besides Laxman and Yuvraj.

The bowling attack comprised Anil Kumble as the lone spinner with S Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh and Ranadeb Bose, who was playing his maiden international match.

Teams:

India: Rahul Dravid (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, V V S Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, S Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh, Anil Kumble and Ranadeb Bose.

Sussex: Michael Yardy (captain), Richard Montgomerie, Chris Nash, Carl Hopkinson, Michael Thornely, Andy Hodd, Robin Martin-Jenkins, Ollie Rayner, Saqlain Mushtaq, Richards Kirtley, Jason Lewry.