The Hindu : Things will pick up: Ganguly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 09, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Things will pick up: Ganguly

GEORGETOWN APRIL 8. "Things will pick up as the tour goes", said Sourav Ganguly as the Indians won the three-day tour opener against the Guyana Board Presidents XI at the Everest ground here on Sunday.

On the batting debacle, being bowled out for a paltry 248 by a second-string combination, Ganguly said "the better the attack, the more you concentrate.

A lot of guys played bad shots. Their fast bowlers (Reon Griffith and Rayon Thomas) were better than quite a few I have faced in first-class games on a tour."

At the end of the match, the organisers announced the teams would play a 21-overs a side match.

For the Indians, it was a welcome opportunity to spend some more time in the middle.

For the Guyana Board Presidents XI, it was a stage, which gave some youngsters a chance to showcase their talent.

The home team made the most by slamming 136 off an Indian attack which comprised of Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Tinu Yohannan and Sanjay Bangar.

There was buzz around the ground in anticipation of the visiting team going for the target.

But the Indians disappointed the crowd by compiling 43 in 21 overs through openers Rahul Dravid and Wasim Jaffer.Coach John Wright said "we looked at it as a practice opportunity in a match-like situation.

It was much better than having `nets and I wouldn't fault the batsmen, he said.

The organizers, however, held a different opinion.

— Our Special Correspondent.

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