The Hindu : Sport : Ganguly, Dravid in rescue act

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Friday, Dec 21, 2007
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Ganguly, Dravid in rescue act

Rain dampens India’s preparations in tour opener

Melbourne: Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid repaired a pathetic start by the Indians on a rain-affected first day of their warm-up match against Victoria at the Junction Oval here on Thursday.

Ganguly (51) scored his half century at the stroke of tea, gliding one down to point region while Dravid, attuned himself to the role of an opener with a sedate 33 as India closed the day at 110 for three from 38 overs.

The duo’s damage-control partnership came when the visitors were reeling at 38 for three inside the first hour after the early session was washed out.

Dhoni leads

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the stand-in captain in the absence of Anil Kumble who chose to skip the game, won the toss and promptly decided to give his batsmen the much-needed practice in the Australian conditions.

However, the Indians were rocked by little known left-arm paceman Allan Wise who claimed all three wickets to fall in the second session of the day’s play. It still looked a long day for the Indians, who struggled to come to terms with the conditions. Dravid, however, took his role as opener seriously and was doggedly unbeaten, flicking off his hips and steering on the off-side being his productive strokes.

Ganguly, all set for his 100th Test in Melbourne next week, was giving Dravid company with an equally sedate innings before shifting gears towards the end of the session.

The left-hander stroked the ball sweetly on the offside and came down the track to spinners even as clouds again gathered on the horizon. Ganguly completed his half century off the last ball before tea and his 86-ball innings included eight hits to the fence.

The two thus settled a few early nerves fter the loss of three quick wickets.

Wasim Jaffer (0) set the tone for the miserable afternoon when his attempted pull went high up for the mid-off fielder to take an easy catch. V.V.S. Laxman (1) lazily flicked a delivery for wicketkeeper Matthew Hade to bring off a smart catch on the leg-side. Sachin Tendulkar (19) looked completely at ease as he stroked a few shots down the ground before he under-edged a cut on to his stumps. The conditions were damp and the ball never quite came on to the bat which accentuated the batsmen’s problems.

Taxing trouble

Meanwhile, the Indians are angry that the earnings on their tour will be taxed by local authorities.

Newspapers reported on Wednesday that the new Australian tax laws meant upto A$1.5 million in payments and tour fees paid to Indian players would be claimed by federal taxes.

The players do not pay taxes on those earnings in India but only on income from sponsorships, the newspapers reported. Tax laws imposed in Australia in July 2004 — after India’s last cricket tour — require all entertainers and sportsmen working in Australia to pay taxes.

India team media manager Dr. M.K. Shridhar said the Board of Control for Cricket in India was looking at ways to get around the tax problem.

The scores: Indians — 1st innings: W. Jaffer c Finch b Wise 0, R. Dravid (batting) 33, V.V.S. Laxman c Wade b Wise 1, S. Tendulkar b Wise 19, S. Ganguly (batting) 51; Extras: (lb-1, nb-5) 6. Total (for three wkts. in 38 overs) 110.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-10, 3-38.

Victoria bowling: Peter Siddle 11-0-37-0, Allan Wise 10-3-22-3, Andew McDonald 6-1-11-0, Justin Hastings 6-2-17-0, Bryce McGain 5-2-22-0. — Agencies

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