Ganguly, Tendulkar to miss match

By Our Special Correspondent

JOHANNESBURG, OCT. 3. Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar will not be available for India's second warm up match, against South Africa `A', to be played at the Willowmore Park, Benoni on Wednesday.

The Indian captain, Ganguly, looks a doubtful starter even for India's opening Standard Bank Tri-series fixture against South Africa at `The Wanderers Bowl' on Friday, October 5.

Though the team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus and Ganguly himself said there was no fracture in the index finger of the top hand (his right hand), the nature of the injury may well keep him out of action for a while.

While the news from the Ganguly camp was not really good, the team manager Dr. M.K. Bhargava's clarification explained for Tendulkar's absence from the field for the first part of the training session on Tuesday. Tendulkar got his `orthotic' insoles refitted after he felt some pressure on the great toe in the match against Nicky Oppenheimer XI.

Tendulkar dashed off to the `The Wanderers' for practice after he got his insoles refitted.

``It takes time to get used to these made-to-order special insoles. He has been asked not to go directly into a match of six or seven hours duration. He has been asked to practice for two days with the refitted insoles. But he will play the match against South Africa on Friday.'' said Dr. Bhargava.

The problem appears to be getting used to the `orthotic' insoles than the great toe itself.

Ganguly took a blow on the knuckles, rising on his toes and trying to defend a sharp and rising delivery from Mornantau Hayward in Monday's match that featured India and Nicky Oppenheimer XI at Randjesfontien. He continued to play before offering his wicket to Gulam Bodi.

But the pain caused by the Hayward delivery necessitated a visit to the clinic on Tuesday afternoon for a precautionary x-ray.

``There's no fracture, but he has a sore finger,'' said Leipus.

A little later, Ganguly, who did not take part in the team's practice session at `The Wanderers', said: ``Yes, there's no fracture. But I have squashed the ligaments of the inside of the right index finger.''

It's certain that Ganguly will watch the match on Wednesday from the change rooms at Benoni. When asked about the possibility of being fit for Friday's match against South Africa, he simply shrugged.

Perhaps his `squashed ligament' may take a longer time to heal, in the event of which he may have to miss more than a match leaving the captaincy chores to Rahul Dravid, who has been appointed vice-captain for the tour by the national selectors.

In another minor injury case, Venkatesh Prasad suffered a bruise on his thigh. But he is `okay' according to coach John Wright. Prasad trained and practiced with the team on Tuesday.

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