NEWS
OTHER SPORTS
DIARY
PEOPLE
MATCH REPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Jadeja fights for form and fitness

Indian vice-captain Ajay Jadeja is fighting against time to be fit for the second Test against Nw Zealand at Basin Reserve starting on Saturday.

Jadeja, who is billed to open the batting with Navjot Sidhu, sprained his right ankle on the eve of the abandoned first Test in Dunedin and hasn't trained since.

India's nets today was delayed by six hours when the team arrived at the ground for a morning session but found the practice wickets were too wet.

"It is disappointing, but there is little we could do,'' lamented coach Anshuman Gaekwad. "We were hoping to go through a full session today. But it doesn't look like it is going to happen, given the conditions.''

Jadeja was ruled out of the first Test after he damaged his ankle during a friendly game of soccer, part of the team's warm-up.

"It wasn't a serious injury,'' manager Saif Drabu said. " He will be alright for the second Test.''

Jadeja however didn't train with the rest of the team this morning as the rest of the side went through a light fitness and fielding session.

"To be honest, I don't know. I will have to see how I go in the nets,'' Jadeja said, as he hobbled around, still looking a bit gingery on his feet.

The team has banned physiotherapist Andrew Kokinos and team doctor Ravindra Chadda from speaking to the media.

Adding to Jadeja's problems is the form of Venkat Laxman, the third opener in the side. The right hander hit a fluent 82 in India's 66-run defeat at the hands of the Kiwis in an exhibition one dayer earlier this week.

"To be frank, we are looking at playing the best team. We don't go by names. We will have to see who plays well. Laxman has played well and for now he definitely has the edge over Jadeja,'' Gaekwad said.

Also trying to be fit in time for the second Test is Kiwi swing bowler Simon Doull.

Doull's injury-prone career took a new twist when he injured his right calf muscle in Dunedin.

His previous upper body injuries had restricted his career to 24 Tests since his debut in November 1992.

Doull said it was too early to say what his chances of playing were, but that he would not push himself if there was the prospect of further injury.

UNI