Showers during Australia146;s dry run

The passing rainy season showers kept date with Brabourne Stadium on Thursday, robbing off three hours of morning action on the opening day ...

The passing rainy season showers kept date with Brabourne Stadium on Thursday, robbing off three hours of morning action on the opening day of the three-day tour opener between Australia and Mumbai. But Matthew Hayden, who provided the fireworks with a sparkling 67, lifted the gloom somewhat on a humid and cloudy day.

Mumbai did manage to put the brakes on collecting three wickets as Australia reached 159 from the 52 possible overs. Hayden, taking off from the word go, was in a menacing mood. He cracked seven powerful fours and unleashed two huge sixes, one each off spinners Ramesh Powar and Mumbai captain Sairaj Bahutle.

Mumbai came up with the promised 8220;surprise8221; with offie Powar bowling the very second over of the innings. The move had Hayden in some spin. But soon he regained his poise and when the bowler returned for his second spell in the 11th over, Hayden cut loose. He thumped two fours and a big hit that landed straight on top of the sight screen in succession.

Hayden and Justin Langer 24: 4215;4 coasted along merrily adding 69 for the opening stand in 19.2 overs. The two seemed set for more but Ajit Agarkar, using the cloud cover to good effect, induced Langer into an away swinger for wicketkeeper Vinayak Samant to do the rest.

Undeterred by the loss, Hayden continued. Bahutule, extracting appreciable turn and bounce, had the batsman in some thoughts but the burly superbat soon stepped out to deposit him over long off. The foxy bowler had his revenge drawing Hayden out soon to catch him off his own.

Left-armer Nilesh Kulkarni then removed another left-hander Simon Katich caught at mid-wicket by Vineet Indulkar for a well made 30. But Damien Martyn provided glimpses of his classy style and Brad Hodge, who began with a superb laid back cover drive off Bahutule, ensured no further damage. Australia coach John Buchanan later said the idea to have Powar bowl at the start was 8220;a good move8221; but added that it helped Hayden and Langer experience spin right from the start.

About Shane Warne being left out from the game, he said, 8220;he is relatively comfortable and we actually wanted to see other youngsters in match circumstances before the Bangalore Test.8221;

SCOREBOARD

Australia
Story continues below this ad

1st Innings Justin Langer c Samant b Agarkar 24; Matthew Hayden c038;b Bahutule 67; Simon Katich c Indulkar b Kulkarni 30; Damien Martyn batting 28; Brad Hodge batting 6.
Extras: lb1, nb3 4.
Total: for 3 wkts 159.
Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-108, 3-146.
Bowling: Agarkar 10-3-21-1, Powar 12-1-56-0, Salvi 9-2-24-0, Kulkarni 9-2-22-1, Bahutule 12-1-33-1.