Sehwag146;s form still a concern

Team India were still groping for an answer at the top of the order after Virender Sehwag failed to fire once again even as India raked up 300 for 9 in their 50 overs in the first warm-up match against the Netherlands on Tuesday. Opening the innings with Sourav Ganguly, Sehwag stared off in blazing fashion but lost his middle stump to a ball from Doeschate that came back in a fraction at a personal score of 28.

The Indian team management8217;s move to send in Sehwag as an opener, despite the inclusion of Robin Uthappa in the squad, indicated that management still considered him the prime choice to open the innings despite speculation he might be used in the middle order.

Skipper Rahul Dravid won the toss and expectedly gave first chance to his prolonged batting line-up a chance to flex their arms against a mediocre bowling attack. However, with the exception of the skipper himself, who top-scored with a fine 74 and Sachin Tendulkar, who made 61, none of the batsmen were able to convert their good starts into a big knock.

MODAY8217;s MATCHEs

8226; England 286 for 8 in 50 overs Dalrymple 76, Bell 46 beat Bermuda 45 all out in 22.2 overs Lewis 3/7 by 241 runs. 8226; South Africa 192 Hall 67not out, Peterson 29, Johnston 4/40 beat Ireland 157 Botha 40, Langeveldt 4/32 by 35 runs.