Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 129 Sat. October 02, 2004  
   
Sports


Aussies toil in tour opener


Australia got a taste of the perils that await them in next week's Test series against India after being made to struggle on a turning wicket in the three-day tour opener here on Friday.

The tourists toiled in stifling hot weather to reach 302-7 declared before national champions Mumbai replied with 150-4 by close of the second day's play at the Brabourne Stadium.

Damien Martyn, who made 71 before retiring with a stomach upset, and stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist (42 not out) were the only batsmen to make an impression.

Barring Matthew Hayden's 67 on the rain-curtailed first day, none of the others crossed 30 on a wicket where the ball spun and bounced.

There was little joy with the ball either as pace bowler Brett Lee, hoping to make the team for the first Test at Bangalore from Wednesday, failed to take a wicket in 14 overs that cost 36 runs.

Glenn McGrath alone showed the virtue of good line and length in unresponsive conditions and was rewarded with two wickets for just eight runs in 13 overs.

Test discard Wasim Jaffar made 48 against an Australian attack without three frontline bowlers in Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne.

Picture
Australia's Damien Martyn gears up for a square cut against Mumbai during their three-day warm-up match at the Brabourne Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: AP