Promising start by Indians

The Indian team started its two-month tour of West Indies on a promising note as they reduced Guyana Board President8217;s XI at 91 for six...

The Indian team started its two-month tour of West Indies on a promising note as they reduced Guyana Board President8217;s XI at 91 for six an hour into the post-lunch session on the opening day of the three-day match against Indians here today.

Javagal Srinath, brought on for his second spell after lunch, claimed his second wicket in the form of Vishal Nagamootoo who made 10 runs. The home team lost their sixth wicket at 78.

At the half-way stage into the second session, Homchandpooran was batting on 35 and fast bowler Reon Griffith was on four.

Earlier, the Indians had struck at regular intervals to reduce the Guyana XI to 57 for five at lunch. Srinath, Zaheer Khan and Anil Kumble claimed a wicket each in their first overs while Harbhajan Singh dismissed two batsmen within a space of three balls in the last over before lunch.

Contrary to expectations, India fielded a full-strength team against a depleted opposition which is without some of their top stars including West Indies captain Carl Hooper.

The Guyana team elected to bat after captain Travis Dowlin won the toss but their inexperience was evident against the fire-power of the full-scale Indian attack.

Srinath claimed a wicket with the very first delivery of the match when opener Andrew Gonsalves snicked to wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta who was selected ahead of Ajay Ratra. Zaheer Khan struck from the other end inducing an edge from new batsman Narsingh Deonaraine which was well taken by VVS Laxman at second slip.

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Deonaraine made only four runs, and by the end of the second over, the home team had slumped to five for two.

The other opener Krishna Arjune crawled to 10 at the drinks break when Guyana XI were 32 for two. It was the turn of Kumble to strike. Dowlin, who had come at the fall of Deonaraine, pushed a firm shot from the leg spinner to Shiv Sunder Das who grabbed the first of his three catches at forward short leg. Dowlin made 11 with one boundary during his 43 minute stay at the crease.