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Rediff.com  » Sports » Jaffer, Dravid help India back on track

Jaffer, Dravid help India back on track

Last updated on: January 10, 2008 13:38 IST
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Team India made a welcome return to the playing field on Thursday when they took on an ACT Invitational XI in their first outing since their tour of Australia was plunged into chaos.

The tourists showed little effects from missing two days training while the tour was under suspension as they racked up a handsome total of 325 for nine.

India declared late in the day at Manuka Oval, the ACT replying with 10-0 when stumps were drawn.

Opener Wasim Jaffer enhanced his chances of playing in next week's third test in Perth with a gritty 92 after a string of low scores in the first two tests but threw his wicket away when a century beckoned.

Jaffer struck eight fours and two sixes and also shared a 66-run stand with Virender Sehwag, who made 24 from 49 balls after being given the chance to push for Test selection.

Rahul Dravid made 62 after being dropped down the order following his promotion to makeshift opener for the test series.

However, out-of-form middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh failed again when he made just two.

Acting captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed 38 off 37 balls while Harbhajan Singh made a third-ball duck after being cleared to play by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Harbhajan was banned for three matches after he was found guilty of racially abusing Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during last week's second test in Sydney.

Harbhajan has denied the charges and lodged an appeal, allowing him to play until the case is finished.

The Indian board had threatened to abort the tour unless the ICC dropped the charges, but continued after the ICC agreed to a number of concessions, including the sacking of West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor.

Scorecard

Indians1st innings
Wasim Jaffer c Ritchard b Higgs 92
Virender Sehwag c Higgs b Swards 24
Dinesh Kaarthick c Perera b Swards 25
Rahul Dravid c Crosthwaite b Perera 62
Yuvraj Singh c Dean b Perera 2
M S Dhoni c & b Ritchard 38
Irfan Pathan c Bulger b Swards 33
Harbhajan Singh c Crosthwaite b Bulger 0
RP Singh c Crosthwaite b Ritchard 12
Pankaj Singh not out 5
VRV Singh not out 4
Extras (B-5, LB-9, W-8, NB-6) 28

Total (for 9 wkts dec; 84 overs) 325

Fall of wickets: 1-66, 2-117, 3-210, 4-220, 5-233, 6-288, 7-291, 8-304, 9-321

Bowling: Richard Sherlock 17-4-72-0, Ashley Perera 15-3-40-2, Luke Swards 17-2-45-3, Adam Ritchard 18-1-71-2, Ryan Bulger 12-0-70-1, Mark Higgs 5-0-13-1.

ACT Invitational XI 1st innings
C Rogers batting 2
E Cowan batting 8

Extras 0

Total (no loss in four overs) 10

Bowling: Irfan Pathan 2-1-5-0, I Sharma 2-1-5-0.

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