Hopefuls face acid test

MUMBAI, November 17: Fringe players of the Indian cricket team face one of their stiffest tests at the Brabourne Stadium here from tomorrow....

MUMBAI, November 17: Fringe players of the Indian cricket team face one of their stiffest tests at the Brabourne Stadium here from tomorrow. Representing Board President8217;s XI they would be locking horns in a three-day duel with the formidable West Indies A.

While both teams have an almost equal smattering of players with international experience, the Caribbeans pack more punch with their robust pace attack. Led by the 33-year-old speedster Ian Bishop, and supplemented by the likes of the promising Reon King and left-arm Pedro Collins, they possess enough ammunition to dent the reputation of domestic batting heavyweights which includes skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Amol Muzumdar, Amay Khurasia and Vijay Bharadwaj. And if the President8217;s XI are banking upon spinners Harbhajan Singh and Rahul Sanghvi to unsettle the rival batsmen, the Windies too possess leggie Rawl Lewis and left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell for variety.

Interestingly, the entire Board President8217;s XI would be facing a West Indies team forthe first time. Kanitkar, however, is unfazed by this. 8220;Each member of the team has some potential that8217;s why they are here. They should play to their natural abilities without trying out something new,8221; he said on the eve of the match. 8220;We aregoing to give them a tough competition,8221; he opined to underline the mood in the camp.

The West Indies A captain Bishop considers the present tour to be a big challenge not only for himself but also for his team-mates all of whom are eager to make it to the West Indies team8217;. Terming it a decisive point of his career, Bishop remarked, 8220;the present tour is a lifeline thrown to me.8221;While admitting that the conditions in India are tough for the speedsters, he hopes to dwell upon his past experience to make an impact. And if the overcast skies on the eve of the match are any indication, Bishop amp; Co have their tasks cut out.

The contest would also form an ideal platform for the 19-year-old Harbhajan to prove to the world that there is nothing wrong with his bowlingaction.Orissa opener Shiv Sundar Das, Delhi medium-pacer Amit Bhandari and Bihar all-rounder Rajeev Kumar have been left out for the match, according to the coach and manager of the team Vasu Paranjpe.

The teams

Board President8217;s XI: Hrishikesh Kanitkar captain, Nikhil Haldipur, Jatinder Singh, Amol Muzumdar, Vijay Bharadwaj, Amay Khurasia, MSK Prasad wicket-keeper, Rahul Sanghvi, Harbhajan Singh, Robin Singh Jr, Debasish Mohanty. Reserves: Amit Bhandari, Shiv Sunder Das, Rajeev Kumar.

West Indies A from: Ian Bishop captain, Richard Smith, Sherwin Campbell, Chris Gayle, Adrian Griffith, Courtney Browne wicket-keeper, Pedro Collins, Wavel Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Neil McGarrell, Keith Semple, Reon King, Wayne Philip, Rawl Lewis and Carl Tuckett.

Umpires: BA Jamula Mumbai, KG Laxminarayan Tamil Nadu.