India wrecked the West Indian top order reducing them to 54 for four after 15
overs in their final World Cup warm-up match at the Trelawny Stadium
here today. Openers Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle were
dismissed off successive deliveries before left-armer Irfan Pathan got the prize
wicket of Caribbean skipper Brian Lara in his first over.
Munaf Patel also tasted immediate success as he induced
Ramnaresh Sarwan to edge to second slip leaving Rahul Dravid's team in
total control of proceedings.
Lara won the toss and elected to bat but his team received
the first setback when Chanderpaul was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper
Mahendra Singh Dhoni for six.
Zaheer's new ball partner Ajit Agarkar then produced a splendid
delivery to take the outside edge of Gayle's bat for Dhoni to do the rest. The
Jamaican left-hander also made six.
The twin blows left the Caribbeans to 14 for two.
Lara and Sarwan then set about repairing the damage, playing
some handsome shots in the bargain. The skipper was also dropped by Yuvraj
Singh off a full-blooded square-cut.
They took the score to 53 before they again lost two wickets at the same score.
Pathan, who was looking distinctly out of rhythm and had bowled three wides
in his first over, got an unexpected bonus when Lara (22) was caught in two
minds on a short of length delivery and only managed to present a return catch.
Munaf was introduced from the other end and he got into the
action as Sarwan edged to Uthappa for 13.
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