Indian top order makes merry

By Vijay Lokapally

HARARE, JUNE 2. The atmosphere was festive. A weekend carnival at the Country Club. The tennis courts were packed and the golf course dotted with amateurs. Cricket was thrown in as an added attraction and it made up for a splendid day under the sun.

The weather was most pleasant as the Indians relaxed, even as some of them helped themselves to some useful practice before the first Test. The batsmen, those lucky ones high in the batting order, made merry while those outside too had their priorities sorted out by coach John Wright, who had a training schedule for each.

The CFX Academy also had its task cut out, what with the Indian openers, S. Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das, making the most after skipper Sourav Ganguly elected to bat. The outfield may have been slow, matching the playing surface, but the Indians concentrated on spending time in the middle and refrained from making any silly errors that would cut short their stay. The focus was on feasting on the average attack.

Das and Ramesh had not been convincing in the last match at Mutare and were under some pressure to get runs against their name here. The opportunities came their way aplenty and the man who thrived to make the best impression was Das as the Indians finished the first day of the three-day match against CFX Academy XI at 370 for three.

It was not that Ramesh did not get into his rhythm but the quality of bowling did not demand the best of concentration from him. He is a big match player and that is what his skipper expects him to remember everytime he walks to the middle. ``It's all in the mind. I'll get runs in the Test,'' remarked Ramesh.

The century by Das was a reminder of the affable Oriya's potential to adapt. He had been slow on his feet at Mutare initially and when he appeared to have got his game going, a bad decision had ended his stay. He did not allow any such liberties to the opposition this day as he batted perfectly in the company of an unusually subdued Ramesh.

Not much need be made of this contest given the nature of the CFX Academy composition. Most of the boys were playing their first competitive match and that was one reason why coach Dave Houghton was not unduly perturbed at some of the basic mistakes they would have committed.

The slow outfield may have helped the fielding side but it also meant that the Indians had to be innovative. Das was the more aggressive of the two and gave a splendid display of attacking batsmanship. His form may have pleased Wright, who surely would have some worries regarding the injury to Rahul Dravid - a dislocated finger which now needs more attention than was visualised last evening.

Some of the shots Das played were timed so well that it was hard to believe he was in need of runs against his name to boost his confidence. His 13th first-class century was just the preparation he would have wanted.

It was an innings which had everything that makes Das a batsman to look forward to. The lack of bite in the attack might well have been tempting for Das or Ramesh to bat rashly but there was reason to believe that both had instructions to follow as they cut out the frills.

Ramesh was once caught in the slips off a no-ball but he continued to play within his limitations this day. Occupying the crease for some time was his resolve and he was close to a half- century when the umpire judged him caught down the leg side. The batsman was distinctly unhappy but he had to make way for Laxman, who had been eagerly awaiting his turn to get going.

Das and Ramesh added 86 runs for the opening wicket in 24.2 overs while Laxman helped Das continue in the same spirit. Das duly completed his century and retired since Wright was keen on as many batsmen as possible getting in a knock. ``It was not an easy wicket initially because the ball was stopping but it gradually eased out and I could hit a few shots in front of the wicket,'' said the Indian opener. Das' innings, which lasted 186 balls, contained 13 fours.

Laxman played some rousing strokes, the kind the CFX Academy lads may not have seen. Effortless drives and some rasping cuts dominated his innings as he entertained the audience with his stylish batsmanship. His essay lasted 132 balls with 15 fours adorning his performance.

``Obviously it's important as it came before the Test match. I had told myself that I'd occupy the crease to make amends for the failure in the last match,'' said Laxman on his 29th first-class century.

For Tamil Nadu left-hander Hemang Badani, it was a much welcome outing as he too showed a wide range of strokes. Quick on anything short, he was a delight to watch with his strokeplay square of the wicket. The shot of the day came from his willow when he swiveled to pull seamer Campbell McMillan for a six. Badani (69 off 101 balls with seven fours) and Ganguly (26 off 75 balls) batted well to maintain the trend for the day.

The CFX Academy lads put up a shoddy fielding display and conceded too many easy runs. But it hardly bothered the Indians. They had all the reasons to be satisfied with the performance, the pedestrian bowling attack of the CFX Academy nothwithstanding.

The scores:

Indians - 1st innings: S.S. Das (retd. out) 110, S. Ramesh c Ciziba b Soma 42, V.V.S. Laxman (retd. out) 100, Hemang Badani (batting) 69, Sourav Ganguly (batting) 26, Extras (b-4, lb-6, nb- 4, w-9) 23, Total (for three wkts. in 97 overs) 370.

Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-248, 3-287.

CFX Academy XI bowling: Campbell McMillan 17-3-52-0, Mluleki Nkala 13-0-67-0, Leon Soma 10-0-38-1, Gary Brent 20-5-56-0, Ian Coulson 11-1-70-0, Sean Irvine 15-2-46- 0, Barney Rogers 11-2-31- 0.

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