Das, Laxman score centuries

The Indians made the maximum use of an inexperienced bowling attack and good batting conditions to notch up a healthy 370 for three on the opening day of their three-day match against CFX Academy in Harare on Saturday, with two of their batsmen forfeiting their innings after scoring centuries.

Put in to bat, the Indians were off to their best start in the three innings on the tour so far, with openers Shiv Sunder Das and Sadagoppan Ramesh putting on 86 runs for the first wicket. Das went on to complete his century and retired after scoring 110.

Das added 162 runs for the second wicket with V V S Laxman, who too retired after reaching 100. At stumps, Hemang Badani was batting on 69 while captain Sourav Ganguly was unbeaten on 26.

The only batsman out was Ramesh, who was caught by wicketkeeper Wisdom Siziba off Leon Soma for 42. This dismissal looked doubtful as Ramesh stood his ground and maintained that he had not nicked the ball.

The academy attack, consisting of schoolboys -- but for Mluleki Nkala and Gary Brent -- had trouble containing the batsmen, who found the conditions to their liking and played some attractive cricket.

However, the Indians had some close calls in the morning session when the ball moved around on a damp wicket and the air was chilly. Both the openers were beaten outside the off-stump and Ramesh was even caught at the third slip off a no-ball.

However, as they continued for some more time, they settled down and grew in confidence to play their natural game with Das being the more aggressive.

Ramesh hit a few delectable flicks off his pads and his trademark cuts to point boundary before he was declared out. He was unperturbed at the missed opportunity though. "Its all in the mind. I will definitely get runs in the Test," he said.

Das continued his elegant innings with some delightful drives in front of the wicket and several square cuts in the point region. There was little for the bowlers on the pitch which had bounce but not much pace.

Das reached his century with a pulled four off Gary Brent in the 59th over after facing 169 balls and hitting 11 fours. He scored two more boundaries before tea break was taken.

This was the opener's 13th hundred in his 108th innings and 63rd first class match since making debut in 1992-93.

The Indians took tea at 248 for one and Das retired at the same score in order to give the other batsmen an opportunity to have a hit.

Laxman played without blemish and relied on steers and cuts. He too reached his century in the final session of the day and promptly retired. Laxman faced 132 balls for his 100 and blasted 15 boundaries.

The rest of the day was well utilised by Badani and Ganguly. The two left-handers cracked a few well-directed shots. When the new ball was taken, Badani even hooked Campbell MacMillan for a six over square leg.

Badani reached his half-century with a single after facing 78 balls. By close, he had played 105 balls for his 69 and hit seven fours and six.

Ganguly's 26 came off 71 balls and included four boundaries.

Scoreboard

Indians (1st innings):
S S Das retired 110
S Ramesh c Siziba b Soma 42
V V S Laxman retired 100
H Badani batting 69
S Ganguly batting 26
Extras (b-4, lb-6, nb-4, w-9) 23
Total (for 3 wkts, 97 overs) 370
Fall of wickets: 1-86, 2-248, 3-287.
Bowling: C McMillan 17-3-52-0, M Nkala 13-0-67-0, L Soma 10-0-38-0, G Brent 20-5-56-0, I Coulson 11-1-70-0, S Ervine 15-2-46-0, Rogers 11-2-31-0.

Mail Cricket Editor