Fast bowler Ishant Sharma came from the field twice during the first session of India’s tour match against a Chairman’s XI side in Canberra today. India broke through for a second wicket before the interval to have the Chairman’s team 2-53 at lunch on the first day of the two-day contest at Manuka Oval. There was no word from the Indian camp on whether Sharma is struggling with an injury or the measures are purely precautionary.
Sharma bowled the first over of the match before leaving the field, and appeared to look at the Indian physiotherapist and point to his foot. The 23-year-old didn’t appear hampered at all when he returned to the action a few overs later and resumed bowling.However, the more alarming moment came three balls into his sixth over and about half an hour before lunch, when Sharma took his hat from the umpire and walked off.
Sharma made his mark in international cricket on the 2007-2008 tour to Australia, and if he was battling injury it would be a major setback for India leading into the Boxing Day Test opener in Melbourne. Experienced quick Zaheer Khan is only just returning from injury himself and India will be relying on their two front-liners being fully fit for the four-match Test series.
Umesh Yadav claimed the wicket of Chairman’s skipper Ryan Broad (8) in the 10th over, before spinner Pragyan Ojha started his campaign well, bowling Joe Burns for 21 just before lunch. Promising South Australia batsman Tom Cooper (two not out) is now at the crease and joins West Australia opener Wes Robinson (19 not out).
India won the toss and named star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman in their side. Squads India: Rahul Dravid (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Pragyan Ojiha, Abhimanyu Mithun, Vinay Kumar. Chairman's XI: Ryan Broad (capt), Wes Robinson, Joe Burns, Tom Cooper, Alex Doolan, Glenn Maxwell, Dean Solway, Tim Ludeman, Cameron Boyce, Josh Lalor, Jake Haberfield, Peter George.
