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India go into Test on winning note

A fine 79 by Sourav Ganguly helped India record an eight-wicket win on the fourth and final day of their warm up game against Wellington at the Basin Reserve, on Tuesday.

Ganguly's innings gave the tourists the perfect tonic, with the first Test against New Zealand slated to begin at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Friday.

The stylish southpaw hit nine fours and a six in his 77-ball innings, sharing an unbroken third-wicket partnership with Rahul Dravid, who weighed in with an unbeaten 66 off 136 deliveries.

Both batsmen thus capped a very good outing for themselves, having scored 93 and 50 respectively in the first innings to underline their form.

Chasing 174 for victory, India began the day at 30 for one, having overnight lost the wicket of Ajay Jadeja for 11. VVS Laxman, being said to be the third choice opener, also gave the tour selectors little to enthuse over, following up his 28 in the first innings with 14 in the second essay.

In fact, the only downside of the win lay in the fact that all three players picked to open for India in the Tests played way below par -- Sidhu opened in the first innings and scored 6, Jadeja had scores of 46 and 11, Laxman had 28 and 14 and none of the three at any point impressed with their ability to cope with pace.

The loss of Laxman's wicket and the arrival of Ganguly at the crease changed the complexion of the game, as the southpaw continually found gaps in the field, being particularly severe on left arm spinner Mark Jefferson, who went for 37 runs from five overs.

Ganguly said the two first-class games had been beneficial as a buildup to the Test.

"We haven't played that many Test matches this year, there have been only four in 12 months, so the two matches here have helped us adjust our style away from one-day cricket,'' he said after the game.

UNI