The Indian cricket team surpassed a modest target without much trouble to start their tour of West Indies with a comprehensive nine wicket victory in the three-day match against Guyana Board President’s XI here today. The Indians, who enjoyed a 130-run first innings lead, knocked off the required 39 runs in 16.1 overs to complete the formality but not before Deep Dasgupta was trapped leg before wicket for 19 when the scores were tied. Shiv Sunder Das remained unbeaten on 18 while VVS Laxman could not open his account. SCOREBOARD Board President’s XI (1st Innings): 118 India (1st Innings): 248 Board President’s XI (2nd Innings): A Gonsalves lbw Srinath 18; K Arjune c and b Harbhajan Singh 13; N Deonarine b Srinath 0; T Dowlin b Kumble 15; H Pooran c Srinath b Kumble 13; K Basil b Kumble 0; D Dasrath c Laxman b Kumble 22; V Nagamootoo c Srinath b Zaheer Khan 78; R Griffith c Dasgupta b Kumble 3; H Harinarine b Zaheer Khan 2; R Thomas not out 0; Extras: (lb-3, nb-1) 4; Total: (all out, 54.2 overs) 168. Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-24, 3-44, 4-48, 5-52, 6-65, 7-102, 8-132, 9-157. Bowling: Srinath 8-2-19-2, Zaheer 7.2-0-37-2, Bangar 3-1-7-0, Kumble 21-5-50-5, Harbhajan Singh 11.2-1-33-1, Tendulkar 3.4-1-19-0. India (2nd innings): SS Das not out 18, D Dasgupta lbw b Dasrath 19, VVS Laxman not out 0. Extras: (nb-2) 2. Total: (For 1 wkt, 16.1 overs) 39 Fall of wicket: 1-38. Bowling: Griffith 7-2-15-0, Thomas 5-2-15-0, Dasrath 3-1-6-1, Deonaraine 1.1-0-3-0 The Indians had earlier bowled out the home team for 168 runs in their second innings. Leg-spinner Anil Kumble led the charge for the visitors with a five wicket haul as the Board President’s XI failed to negotiate the full-strength Indian attack for the second time in the match. The only resistance came from wicket-keeper Vishal Nagamootoo who notched up the highest score of the match with a defiant 78. It was mainly due to his efforts that Guyana XI, who resumed at their overnight 52 for five, were able to save an innings defeat. The Indian openers took it easy and were more keen to spend as much time as possible in the middle rather than finishing the game off. But the Indians still found the practice not enough and decided to play a hurriedly arranged limited overs game after the match. (PTI) Windies squad for 1st and 2nd Tests Carl Hooper (captain), Chris Gayle, Stuart Williams, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds, Junior Murray, Mervyn Dillon, Cameroon Cuffy, Adam Sanford, Marlon Black, Mahendra Nagamootoo.
