India were in such a hurry to leave for Galle yesterday, they almost forgot to thank the hosts.
India were in such a hurry to leave for Galle yesterday, they almost forgot to thank the hosts.
There was hardly a smile at the Colts Cricket Club after Day Three of the opening tour game turned into a drawn affair for MS Dhoni's side.
Gary Kirsten was saying nothing, and whatever Dhoni was thinking may be said sometime after a practice session today, or tomorrow at the official media sessions.
The bowlers had a long practice run in what had been little more than an extended net.
Thilan Samaraweera's decision to bat a second innings was more designed to give the SL Board President's XI practice against so-called international bowling rather than to give the Indian bowlers any practice. The result was a century for the 20-year-old Lahiru Thirimanne, who's ton boosted the total to 260 for six when the game was abandoned at the start of the 62nd over shortly before 4 pm.
How much the Indian bowlers learnt from this exercise is a matter of interest. Pragyan Ojha found some rhythm.
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His eight wickets for 238 runs from 49.3 overs during the two innings at least helped him with his length on a docile pitch. Amit Mishra and Virender Sehwag bowled tightly too collecting a wicket each.
While Samaraweera's plan was largely to deny India's batsmen a second chance to bat and find some form, especially Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, you could have placed an Australian dollar on it had this game been played Down Under, the opposing captain would have had India bat again to grind the side into submission with the Ajantha Mendis ogre eager to have a second chance.
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