Light confrontation after heavy workout

Ajit Agarkar8217;s exploits with the ball were countered by a gutsy Bevan Griggs who posted an unbeaten maiden century to give Central Dist...

Ajit Agarkar8217;s exploits with the ball were countered by a gutsy Bevan Griggs who posted an unbeaten maiden century to give Central Districts an 86-run first innings lead against the touring Indians on a truncated second day of the warm-up match here today.

A little known 24-year-old Griggs, coming to bat at No.6, drove the Indians up the wall in frustration as the visitors were in a position of strength at one stage having reduced the hosts to 153 for seven.

SCOREBOARD

Indians 1st Innings: 209
Central Districts 1st Innings: P Ingram c Sehwag b Nehra 10; C Spearman c and b Yohannan 58; M Sinclair c Harbhajan b Agarkar 52; G Sulzberger c Laxman b Bangar 8; J How lbw Harbhajan 10; B Griggs not out 100; M Sigley lbw Agarkar 1; A Schwass c Patel b Agarkar 0; M Mason c Yohannan b Harbhajan 21; B Hefford c Patel b Agarkar 9; L Hamilton not out 9.
Extras b3, lb2, nb11, w1: 17.
Total for 9 wkts decl: 295
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-108, 3-133, 4-135, 5-152, 6-153, 7-153, 8-200, 9-237.
Bowling: Agarkar 16.2-6-50-4, Nehra 18-3-69-1, Yohannan 18-2-62-1, Bangar 10-2-36-1, Harbhajan 20-0-73-2.

Agarkar claimed four wickets, including three in a five over spell, to help the visitors bounce back into the match before Griggs8217; 100 not out put the brakes on the slide as the Central Districts declared their first innings at 295 for nine.

On a day when bad light and rain twice forced an interruption, Indians declined to start their second innings in poor light in the final session after the umpires offered them the choice with still 20-odd overs remaining to be bowled.

And Central Districts8217; coach Mark Greatbatch was scathing in his criticism of India8217;s refusal to bat in the second innings in poor light on the second day of the three-day game at McLean Park here today.

8216;8216;I8217;m really disappointed at they not choosing to bat in the second innings,8217;8217; said Greatbatch as he rued the lost opportunity of his bowlers to have a crack at the visiting batsmen.

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8216;8216;They have three of the best batters in the world but they don8217;t want to bat,8217;8217; said Greatbatch. 8216;8216;Perhaps they want to bat tomorrow when the conditions are sunny.8217;8217;

Greatbatch was surprised at the approach of the visitors who had expressed their desire to use the three-day game to get themselves in some form ahead of the first Test starting at Wellington on Thursday.

8216;8216;I8217;d have definitely liked to have a go at the Indian batsmen. It would be just great if we could force a win against them.8217;8217;

The Indian captain Saurav Ganguly refused to get drawn into the issue and said he felt the light was bad and they could not have continued. Indian team manager N R Choudhary confirmed the umpires had asked Ganguly whether he wanted his team to bat in the prevailing light conditions. PTI