Date:01/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/01/stories/2003020104932200.htm

Sport - Cricket

Laxman to lead India A

Mumbai Jan. 31. An India `A' team led by Venkatsai Laxman will play a minimum of six four-day matches in the Carib Beer Cricket Series in the West Indies from February 8.

It will play matches against Barbados, Leeward Islands, Trinidad, Windward Islands, Guyana and Jamaica. Good results in these matches would enable the team to progress to the semifinal and final.

Because of the India `A' team tour, the BCCI is likely to postpone the knock-out phase of the Ranji Trophy Elite and Plate championship to April.

The team: Venkatsai Laxman (Hyd, captain), Akash Chopra (Delhi), Gautam Gambhir (Delhi), Connor Williams (Baroda), Rakesh Patel (Baroda), A. T. Rayudu (Hyderabad), Hemang Badani Tamil Nadu), L. Balaji (Tamil Nadu), Ajay Ratra (Haryana), Amit Mishra (Haryana), Abhijit Kale (Maharashtra), Avishkar Salvi (Mumbai), Tinu Yohannan (Kerala), Murali Kartik (Rlys) Jaiprakash Yadav (Rlys): Coach: Ashok Malhotra: Physio: Kinjal Suratwala and Manager: Wg. Cdr. A K Jha.

The tour programme: Feb. 8-11 v Barbados, Feb. 14-17 v Leeward Islands, Feb. 21-14 v Trinidad, Feb. 28 to March 3 v Windward Islands, March 7 - 10 v Guyana and March 14 - 17 v Jamaica. March 21-24 semifinals and March 28 to 31: Final.