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Rajkot, Oct 3: Opening batsman
Sadagopan Ramesh staked his claim for a Test recall with a fine 110
as India 'A' reached 216 for four in their first innings on the
second day of the three-day cricket match against New Zealand here
today. Replying to New Zealand's first innings total of 375 for
seven declared, the Indians were off to a good start, thanks to a
164-run stand for the opening wicket between Ramesh and Akash Chopra
(66 off 136 balls).
A slump in the middle cost India
'A' three quick wickets including that of another prospective opener
Connor Williams and skipper Mohammed Kaif (4) but Ramesh stood his
ground to stem the rot before he was caught by Kiwi skipper Stephen
Fleming off Darryl Tuffey after facing 206 balls. At the close,
Hemang Badani was batting on seven while Murali Karthik was on four.
It was imperative for India 'A' to put up a good show with the bat
as the bowlers, three of them untested -- Munaf Patel, Rudra Pratap
Singh and S Sreesanth -- had allowed the visitors to pile runs at
will.
And the India 'A' openers did not
disappoint. Ramesh, who was dropped on 96 by first slip fielder Scot
Styris, got to the three figure mark when he pushed Styris to
mid-off for a couple. His century came off 190 balls in 252 minutes
and included 18 hits to the fence. The Tamil Nadu lefthander was
undeterred in his shot making by the fall of his partner Chopra, who
was caught by Paul Wiseman in the deep while trying to hook Jacob
Oram for 66 (13x4). India 'A' lost two more quick wickets that of
Williams and Kaif who must be disappointed as he was keen to make an
impression and break into the Test squad.
Williams was caught by Styris in
the slips off Vettori for four while Kaif was caught by wicketkeeper
Robbie Hart down the leg side while trying to glance the same
bowler. What stood out on the day was the contrast in batting styles
of Ramesh and Chopra. While Ramesh played with flamboyance, Chopra
played a surprisingly subdued knock. Chopra, who scored a hundred in
the washed-out match at Visakhapatnam, took 40 minutes to open his
account after facing 30 deliveries.
But Ramesh was timing his shots
well right from the word go and did not spare any of the New Zealand
bowlers. He was particularly severe on Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori
cutting and driving them at will. He also scored freely off left arm
spinner Daniel Vettori and Styris. He reached his 50 with a hook off
Craig McMillan which also brought up India A's 100. Earlier, all
rounder Jacob Oram's unbeaten 101 off 141 balls with ten fours and
three sixes helped New Zealand declare their first innings on 375
for seven off 110.5 overs half an hour before lunch.
Oram, 59 overnight, shouldered the
responsibility of taking his side to a good score after the other
overnight batsman and the first century maker for the Kiwis Mark
Richardson retired hurt on his overnight score of 128. (Agencies)
Published: Friday, October 03, 2003
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