It could not have been better for all involved. That was the general consensus at the Northwood-Crusaders cricket ground on Friday where the touring India cricket side began a two-day friendly practice match against a KwaZulu-Natal Invitation XI.
After losing an hour at the start of the game because of overnight showers, the Indians enjoyed their 77 overs at the crease in scoring 270 for eight — two of those wickets were of men who retired — as the KwaZulu-Natal bowlers tested their skills to the utmost.
On a hot and humid day, with the wicket slow and the outfield heavy after the rain of earlier in the week, the atmosphere was outstanding.
From the Indian point of view it was a ”worthwhile exercise in all respects”, according to coach Greg Chappell, who was quick to add: ”We were not looking for anything special ahead of the second Test against South Africa at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, next week.”
He said: ”It was a game that we consider as being all we could have asked for, with an opportunity to play out in the middle, and as such was a lot more valuable than hours of practice in the indoor or outdoor nets.”
It was a sentiment echoed by former Dolphins head coach Phil Russell.
Chappell said that the India squad of 12 for the Test beginning on Tuesday will likely be named on Christmas Day.
If anyone has staked a claim for inclusion, it is batsman Gauton Ghambir, who hit a sparkling 79 in a 142-minute stay at the crease, during which time he faced 101 balls and hit eight fours and two sixes.
In partnership with Raoul Dravid, who made 39 with five boundaries — both men retired — he added 116 for the third wicket. Virander Schewag (40 off 46 balls) and Sourav Ganguly (41 not out off 100 balls in 153 minutes) also scored freely.
Best of the KwaZulu-Natal bowlers was opener Robbie Frylink with two for 44, who was assisted by two fine slip catches by Rivash Gobind — who added a third scalp later.
Midlands seamer Ross McMillan only bowled six overs — three of them maidens — in taking out VVS Laxman (2) for just four runs.
The Indians, by mutual agreement, batted on Friday and were to give their bowlers a run on Saturday in a match that was scheduled to resume at 10am. — Sapa