Date:11/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/11/stories/2009111156231500.htm

Sport - Cricket

Rain a dampener for tour opener

Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI: Rain came as a dampener for Board Presidents XI on the eve of a three-day game against Sri Lanka, starting on Wednesday.

The announcement of India’s Test squad added to the gloomy mood among Indian Test hopefuls engaged in honing skills at MCA Bandra Kurla Complex.

Rohit Sharma is captaining the Board President XI squad, with Robin Uthappa as vice-captain, along with India’s brightest talents handpicked to take on the Lankans in the tour opener.

Now with the national selectors having shown their hand about the composition of the Indian Test squad, these youngsters have a long wait ahead.

It is difficult to fathom the reason for timing the announcement of India’s Test line-up of 15 players before the tour opener.

The Ranji Trophy second round matches have commenced, so the Board Presidents XI players are already missing out on first-class cricket for the respective state teams.

Rain is another factor which may delay start and reduce interest in the three-day game. The wet patches at the BKC outfield due to a constant drizzle may eat into playing time on the opening day.

Board President XI went through a light session, the Lankans spent a longer time at the nets.

The teams (from):

Board President’s XI: Rohit Sharma (capt), Robin Uthappa, Abhinav Mukund, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, Pradeep Sangwan, Dhawal Kulkarni, Ashok Dinda, Pankaj Singh, Abhishek Nayar, Ishank Jaggi.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Thilina Kandamby, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Kaushal Silva, Chanaka Welegedara, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Dammika Prasad, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis.