Laxman makes stay count

The Indians quickly slipped into groove in their tour opener as they ended the second day of their warm-up match against Sussex in a strong position

The Indians quickly slipped into groove in their tour opener as they ended the second day of their warm-up match against Sussex in a strong position here today. Skipper Rahul Dravid declared the innings closed on 388/7 after VVS Laxman got out on 95.

The Indian bowlers took time to hit the right lengths but managed to prise out wickets regularly as Sussex ended the day on 146/5, trailing by 242 runs with five wickets in hand. Only Michael Yardy showed some resistance during a gritty 53. Sreesanth was particularly impressive once he controlled his line, generating prodigious outswing with the new ball. Ranadeb Bose, who hasn8217;t played a Test yet, also made an encouraging start.

Earlier, The Indians began the day on 281/3 and Laxman who resumed on 37 made his opportunity count.

Dravid backs Laxman

Rahul Dravid virtually gave a thumbs up to the experienced VVS Laxman to be in the playing eleven for the first Test match against England. 8220;I back Laxman to have a big tour this time. The last time he didn8217;t have as great a tour as the other guys. I can see that he8217;s determined to correct it this time. He looks hungry,8221; Dravid said.

Scoreboard

Indians, first innings: D Kaarthick b Saqlain Mushtaq 76, W Jaffer c Hodd b Martin-Jenkins 12, G Gambhir c and b Yardy 81, R Dravid retd hurt 57, VVS Laxman c Montgomerie b Saqlain 95, Yuvraj Singh st Hodd b Rayner 31, MS Dhoni lbw Rayner 5, A Kumble c Montgomerie b Saqlain 2, S Sreesanth not out 7

Extras b-12, lb-6, w-3, nb-1 22

Total for 7 wkts, 130.5 overs 388

Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-166, 3-206, 4-357, 5-367, 6-375, 7-388

Bowling: Lewry 21-6-53-0, Kirtley 24-7-69-0, Martin-Jenkins 21-5-48-1, Liddle 15-1-48-0, Saqlain 29.5-4-71-3, Yardy 9-1-33-1, Rayner 8-0-34-2, Hopkinson 3-0-14-0

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Sussex first innings: C Nash c Kaarthick b Bose 28; R Montogomerie c Kaarthick b Sreesanth 18; M Yardy c Laxman b Kumble 53; C Hopkinson lbw RP Singh 5; M Thornely b Kumble 2; A Hodd not out 21, R Martin-Jenkins not out 0.

Extras b3, lb5, w 9, nb2

Total for 5 wickets in 47 overs 146

Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-66, 3-75, 4-105, 5-144.

Bowling: RP Singh 10-2-32-1, Sreesanth 12-5-24-1, Bose 12-4-37-1, Kumble 11-2-28-2, Yuvraj 2-0-17-0.