BOMBAY, 2 October 2004 — Damien Martyn top scored with a fluent 71 to guide Australia to 302 for seven declared in their first innings on the second day of their tour match against Ranji Trophy champions Bombay yesterday.

The 32-year-old Martyn, yet to play Tests in India, battled with a stomach bug on a slow Brabourne Stadium pitch until he retired to let his teammates gain useful batting practice.

Bombay then survived Glenn McGrath’s miserly opening spell before reaching 150 for four at close with the experienced Amol Muzumdar on 50 not out.

McGrath took two of the first three wickets to fall with typically accurate bowling, conceding just eight runs in his 13 overs of which seven were maidens. New ball partner Brett Lee struggled, however, bowling five no-balls and failing to take a wicket in his 14 overs.

Martyn was untroubled by Bombay’s three spinners and hit five fours during his nearly three-hour stay.

“We have played a lot in India and Sri Lanka and we are very comfortable with our gameplan on how we approach the spinners,” he said. “It was good to reinforce that today.”

India Include Tendulkar for Australia Tests

Sachin Tendulkar has been included in India’s squad to meet Australia in the first Test in Bangalore next week but is still not certain of playing. “We have got a medical report that Sachin is progressing well. The injury has been rehabilitated,” Indian cricket board secretary Karunakaran Nair said yesterday.

“His fitness will be assessed on a day-to-day basis before the first Test. Depending on his fitness, he will also be considered for playing.”

Tendulkar, 31, has been out of action since the Asia Cup final in August because of a left elbow injury. He returned to the nets this week but said his arm was still very weak.

He has been undergoing intensive treatment in a bid to play in the series, but was unable to return for the three-day game between Ranji Trophy champions Bombay and Australia.

His tennis elbow, a rare injury among cricketers, has largely been attributed to wear and tear due to non-stop play since his international debut as a teenager in 1989.

In the last five years, he has suffered various injuries to his back, foot and hand.

The selectors also recalled left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan, who missed last month’s ICC Champions Trophy in England because of a hamstring injury.

He proved his fitness in two domestic matches to be chosen alongside pacemen Ajit Agarkar and Irfan Pathan. Left-arm pace bowler Ashish Nehra was left out as he twisted his ankle in a domestic game three days ago.

One-day specialist Mohammad Kaif has also been included, mainly as back-up for Tendulkar. The squad covers the first two Tests of the four-match series.

There are also tests in Madras (Oct. 14-18), Nagpur (Oct. 26-30) and Bombay (Nov. 3-7).

Squad: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Aakash Chopra, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Vangipurappu Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Murali Kartik.