The Hindu : 'Mixed' signals from Indians at McLean Park

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 09, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

'Mixed' signals from Indians at McLean Park

By S. Dinakar

Sanjay Bangar, who top scored in India's second innings with 70 runs, gets into the attack mode against Central Disrticts' Andrew Schwass on the final day of their three-day tour match in Napier on Sunday. — Photo: N. Balaji.

Napier Dec. 8. If the only first class game before a Test series can provide us with those little `pointers' ahead of the more important duels, then the signals from the Indians at the quaint McLean Park were `mixed'.

When a sharp spell of rain ended the third and final day's proceedings at 4.21 p.m., here, on Sunday, India, on a surface that had eased out considerably, was progressing well at 191 for three, with Sachin Tendulkar on a well compiled 52 (94b, 7x4). Earlier in the day, Virender Sehwag blitzed his way to a 55-ball 61 (11x4), while his opening partner Sanjay Bangar made a dogged 70 (161b, 7x4, 1x6).

Yet, when there was seam movement and bounce on the first morning, the Indians struggled, losing half the side for 137, and with the Wellington pitch, likely to be green and fresh, the Indians have to get it right before the first Test.

``We had a talk about it (referring to the first day's performance). But these are all quality players, and I am not too concerned. After days of jet lag, the boys finally had a good night's sleep yesterday,'' said India coach John Wright after the dust had settled on the match against the Central Districts.

``Bangar, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Ganguly had a good hit in the match, and I am happy. Dravid missed out again today, but technically he is probably the most suited to make runs in New Zealand,'' the coach added.

Dravid received a peach of a delivery from paceman Andrew Schwass, that moved from the leg-stump, to hit the top of off, after opening up the Indian No. 3.

The fact that Central Districts actually managed to gain a sizable lead, with the tail wagging, must have been worrying too for the Indians. Wright was candid. "A couple of bowling changes, to give everyone a bowl, may have had to do with this, but we should have killed them off quickly in any case.''

The coach indicated the team-management was yet to decide between Ashish Nehra and Tinu Yohannan for the third seamer's slot, and revealed pace spearhead Zaheer Khan was making steady progress from his knee injury.

When play got underway on Sunday, Sehwag was in cracking form, thumping Lance Hamilton through the covers, then square-driving him, and taking a heavy toll of the left-arm paceman. Hamilton, who was in the reckoning for a Test place, strove too hard, attempted to bowl too quick, and his line went awry in the process.

Michael Mason, sent down a much steadier spell with the new ball, and this might have actually enabled him pip Hamilton in what was a neck-and-neck race between two Central Districts pacemen for a place in the Test squad.

Sehwag reached his half-century with a sizzling on-drive off support seamer Brent Hefford, struck two more rasping boundaries in the over, but fell to swing bowler Schwass, wicket-keeper Sigley accepting the catch, after the Indian nicked an attempted drive. It was an entertaining innings, but more importantly, the opening stand of 91 in 24.1 overs between Sehwag and Bangar must have been heartening to the Indian think-tank.

Schwass soon consumed Dravid with a `beauty' to hand the Indian vice-captain a rare twin failure (0 & 1) in a year of triumphs. "On seaming tracks, you need a little luck early on. I didn't have it in this game,'' said Dravid later.

Meanwhile, Bangar combined bouts of stodgy defence with some crisp strokes off his legs, and India went to lunch at 109 for two, Bangar on 39, and Tendulkar 4.

Rain delayed resumption after the break, and following an hour's wait, when the match restarted at 2.30 p.m, bright sunshine greeted the players.

And to the delight of the small but enthusiastic crowd, that included quite a few Indian supporters, Tendulkar got into his groove, hammering Hamilton through the covers, on-driving the same bowler past the ropes, and pulling Hefford with contempt.

Bangar reached a well deserved half century, was soon put down at square-leg by Bevan Griggs off Schwass, then decided to go for the bowling (the idea was to give others a chance to bat), swinging off-spinner Glen Sulzburger for a six over mid-wicket before being held at long on off the same bowler.

``Bangar is a very committed cricketer. He has some attacking innings in one-day cricket, but plays differently in the longer version,'' noted Wright paying a compliment to the Railwayman's approach and attitude.

Tendulkar, his feet moving well, completed his fifty, and was looking good for more much more, when inclement weather cut short play for the day.

``We are looking forward to Wellington, we have played a lot more cricket than New Zealand this year and we should be ready,'' were Wright's parting words...despite the `mixed signals' at McLean Park.

The scores:

India — 1st innings: 209.

Central Districts — 1st innings: 295 for nine decl.

India — 2nd innings: S. Bangar c Hefford b Sulzburger 70, S. Sehwag c Sigley b Schwass 61, R. Dravid b Schwass 1, S. Tendulkar (not out) 52, V.V.S. Laxman (not out) 1; Extras (nb-6) 6; Total (for three wickets) 191.

Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-99, 3-186.

Central Districts bowling: Mason 11.4-4-21-0, Hamilton 11-0-71-0, Hefford 11-2-42-0, Schwass 14-4-28-2, Sulzburger 6-1-29-1.

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