RAJKOT, 5 October 2003 — India A’s Hemang Badani struck an explosive 127 against New Zealand yesterday, but his hopes of a Test recall were dashed when India’s selectors left him out of the first Test starting in Ahmedabad next week.
Left-hander Badani, who played the last of his four Tests in Sri Lanka two years ago, hammered 16 fours and two sixes before the three-day tour match ended in a draw.
Badani’s 187-ball knock helped India A to 403 in reply to New Zealand’s first innings of 375 for seven declared. The tourists were then reduced to 37 for four before Lou Vincent, with 28 not out, and Craig McMillan, 17 not out, dug in to steer New Zealand to 68 for four by the close of the play. Paceman Munaf Patel, making his first-class debut, had added to his three first-innings wickets by trapping Nathan Astle (five) lbw with a ball that nipped back sharply off the seam and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, caught at point for three.
Meanwhile, India’s national selectors yesterday announced the team for the first Test against New Zealand to be played at Ahmedabad from Oct. 8 to 12.
India team:
Saurav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Akash Chopra, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Sairaj Bahutule, Zaheer Khan, Aavishkar Salvi, Lakshmipathy Balaji.
Miandad Responds Angrily
to Sohail’s Criticism
Pakistan’s cricket coach Javed Miandad, who has come under fire from chief selector Aamer Sohail, has asked for a meeting with the national board chairman. After Pakistan’s eight-run win over South Africa in the first One-Day International, Miandad responded angrily yesterday to criticism from Sohail.
Sohail had said on Thursday that it would not be difficult for Pakistan to beat a weaker South Africa team provided the players were handled properly. Miandad told Reuters yesterday: “If anyone thinks he can do a better job than me as coach he is welcome to come and give it a try.”
