Nehra retained for ODI tri-series

Ashish Nehra, India's top wicket-taker in their two-Test series against Zimbabwe, has been retained for a one-day tri-series starting later this week.

The chairman of the board of selectors, Chandu Borde said on Tuesday that the team management's request to retain Nehra has been accepted by the selectors.

Left-arm Nehra had been left out of a 14-player squad chosen last week for the tri-series starting on Saturday, but came into the reckoning after claiming 11 wickets in the tests for a fine comeback since playing his only previous test two years ago.

The bowler would be an additional member of the squad for the tournament, also involving Zimbabwe and West Indies, Borde told Reuters on telephone from Pune.

Nehra, 22, was not chosen for the one-dayers despite taking five wickets to help India claim the first test in Bulawayo by eight wickets. He had not been considered since making his test debut against Sri Lanka in an Asian test championship in 1999.

The bowler was banned from bowling midway through Zimbabwe's second innings in Bulawayo following a third warning for running on the pitch on his follow through.

But he bounced back to take six wickets in the second test, which the hosts won by four wickets to square the series on Monday.

Nehra will be the fifth medium-pacer in the squad, which will be without the experienced Javagal Srinath who has been rested for the tri-series.

Mail Cricket Editor