It could be 145;over146; for the skipper

Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly could face a one-Test ban if India do not improve their over-rate dramatically in Australia8217;s first innings in the first cricket Test at the Gabba here.

India are presently nine overs short of the required over-rate and according to ICC8217;s rule-book, if a fielding side is behind by more than five overs, 10 per cent of each players8217; gross match fee, as well as 20 per cent of captain8217;s fee is liable to be deducted. But the rule-book also empowers the match referee to enforce Level Two offence of the code of conduct against the fielding captain which is up to 50 per cent of the match fee or a one-Test ban.

Ganguly is conscious of the slow over-rate and instructed his fielders to run between overs during the 90 minutes of play possible on the second day today.

The issue was serious enough for match referee Mike Procter to call Ganguly during the lunch break and tell him of the dangers which lay ahead. Ganguly admitted that the over-rate was slow yesterday but hoped they would be able to bring it down below the five-over mark. 8220;At present we are just seven overs short, that8217;s what Procky Procter told me. We would definitely try to bring it to at least five overs short or there about,8221; Ganguly said.