Ghambir, Mane hit tons after India follow-on

Opening batsmen Gautam Ghambir and Vinayak Mane redeemed India's prestige with superb centuries and a 241-run unbroken partnership after being forced to folow-on by England on the penultimate day of the four-day second under-19 cricket Test in Madras on Monday.

At close, Ghambir (121, 15 fours and a six) and Mane (115 12 fours and 2 sixes) were at the crease, having so far made 241 in 47 overs in 187 minutes.

Mane was more aggressive, reaching his 50 in only 86 minutes of 68 balls, while Ghambir took 91 minutes for his half century. However,Ghambir was the first to reach hundred. The Indian openers scored at the rate of 5.12 runs an over.

Both survived a hard chance each, as Ghambir was dropped on 87 by Panesar off Tremlett at square leg, while Bishop, at mid-on, floored Mane when he was on 68, off Pattison.

Earlier, India, resuming at overnight 122 for 4, were dismissed for 231 in the first innings, conceding a 168-run-lead to the visitors, who had made 399.

Ishan Ganda, who was on 44 overnight, fell for 67, snicking to wicketkeeper Wallace off Tremlett.

Kasinath Khadkikar (30) also fell in same fashion to John Bishop.

Then in the first over after lunch, Ajay Ratra, who made 28, was out to a superb catch by Bishop at mid-off off Panesar and Dharmichand too left making just 5 runs.

Medium pacer Andrews Mcgarry was the chief wicket-taker with 4 for 44. Tremlett (2 for 31), Pattison (2 for 37) Bishop (1 for 52) and Monty Panesar (1 for 64) were the other successful bowlers for England.

Scoreboard

England (1st innings): 399

India (1st innings):
Ghambir C Sadler B Tremlett 23
Mane B Mcgarry 12
I Ganda C Wallace B Tremlett 67
Y Ganeswar Rao LBW Mcgarry 30
A S Naidu c Wallace B Mcgarry 0
K Khadkikar C Wallace B Bishop 30
Ajay Ratra C Bishop B Panesar 28
V Sivaramakrishnan C Pattison B Mcgarry 11
Dharichand C Sadler B Pattison 5
S Trivedi C Wallace B Pattison 12
N Agarwal not out 5
Extras (LB 3, W 2, NB 3) 8
Total (all out in 79.4 overs) 231
Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-39, 3-103, 4-103, 5-156, 6-171, 7-195, 8-212, 9-216.
Bowling:
Mcgarry 17-2-44-4
Bishop 15-6-52-1
Tremlett 11-4-31-2
Panesar 21-5-64-1
Pattison 15.4-5-37-2.

India (2nd innings):
Ghambir batting 121
V R Mane batting 115
Extras (B1,W1, NB3) 5
Total (without loss in 47 overs) 241
Bowling:
Mcgarry 6-1-32-0
Pattison 9-0-43-0
Bishop 6-0-27-0
Tremlett 8-0-40-0
Paneswar 11-2-49-0
Muchall 6-0-39-0
Bell 1-0-10-0.

Mail Cricket Editor