Rain plays spoilsport, India denied match practice

Fresh thunderstorms played spoilsport on Friday to deny India valuable match practice in Melbourne with the second day of their three-day warm-up match against Victoria producing just 10 overs.

After a delayed start owing to wet outfield caused by Thursday’s downpour, the penultimate day’s proceeding lasted about just 45 minutes, during which India lost Sourav Ganguly (59) and reached 133 for four before rain put paid to their hopes for a good practice ahead of the Test series against Australia.

At stumps, Rahul Dravid was unbeaten on 38 and Yuvraj Singh, hoping to retain his place in the Test eleven, was giving him company on 6.

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Allan Wise scalped Ganguly for his fourth wicket of the match.

Resuming on overnight score of 110 for three, Ganguly decided to go after the hosts. He clipped Wise through the mid-wicket region and then cut him for a four before the bowler had his revenge in the same over.