Day 1: India 'A' v Safrica

India 'A' continued their tour of England in impressive fashion today, against a strong South African outfit.
After playing many games against 'weaker' County outfits, the real test for the future stars of Indian Cricket came today.

In foreign conditions against a tough bowling attack, India A passed a gruelling test with flying colours. The India A team, lead by discarded Indian opener S.S.Das won the toss and batted first against a South African bowling attack comprising of Pollock, Ntini, Peterson, Pretorious and Zondeki.

Openers Das and Gautam Gambhir proved to the Indian selectors, that they are two of the best young openers in Indian Cricket today, as they gave India 'A' a solid platform with a 93 run opening partnership. Gambhir was savage on anything wide, short and even the good ball as he raced to his half century at the rate of a run a ball.

A sturdy, and patient Das gave Gambhir the vital support which was needed to develop a solid platform. Gambhir's innings came to an abrupt end when veteran, Gary Kirsten took the catch off Pretorious's bowling. Gambhir, with his 64 off just 69 balls proved to the selectors that he is a strong candidate for that ever crucial position for opener.

Prolific Mumbai batsman, Wasim Jaffer strode out to the middle, to face the team that he had made his test debut against back in 2000. A strong player off the back foot, Jaffer began solidly, taking on the likes of Ntini and Pollock with ease. But with the score at 144, SS Das fell to the experienced and dangerous Pollock for 33, as he was caught behind.

The experienced and stylish Jaffer, continued to battle solidly, and alongside in form batsman Hemang Badani, he reached his 50. With the score at 195, Badani fell for just 23 runs to young pace bowler, Monde Zondeki. But with that, Jaffer continued to be the mainstay of the India 'A' batting.

Promising 17 year old, Ambati Rayadu teamed up with Wasim Jaffer, to once again form another crucial partnership. Partnerships so often are the key to big scores in Cricket, and the young India 'A' batsman certainly were making the partnerships count.

After a 56 run partnership, Rayadu fell for a quickfire and crucial 32, lbw to Pretorious. Young wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel fell cheaply for 8, swinging the match in South Africa's favor. With the score at 272, Wasim Jaffer fell for a valuable and crucial 90, as South Africa regained control of the game.

Amit Mishra (25) and Murali Kartik (16) added some vital runs to the scorecard and prevented an all too familiar late order collapse, to leave India 'A' in a comfortable and competitive position at 319 All Out.


Brief Score Summary:

India 'A' (1st Innings): 319 All Out (Jaffer 90, Gambhir 64, Pollock 4/46, Pretorious 3/41)




Posted by Sangrah