Ganguly might move up the order for the Tests

Rex Clementine

August 10, 2001

In terms of match practice, India could have done without the final day of the three day practice match against Sri Lanka Board XI being abandoned, but Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly was philosophical. "It's a little bit disappointing, but we got a day to bowl and day to bat. So it's something rather than nothing," he said.

When a journalist asked whether he had ever come across such a sub-standard wicket, Ganguly avoided another controversy: "All I can say is that I have been involved in a match which was abandoned due to similar conditions."

The curator of the venue, Milroy Muttuvele, tried to get the game going by repairing the pitch after the captains had called for the umpires to let them have some match practice. His efforts were unavailing, as the game was called off after a 3pm inspection.

Ganguly said: "They tried their best you know. Normally in a cricket game you can't do too much about the wicket once the game starts. But since two captains requested some practice, it went on. It was a mutual effort, but unfortunately we couldn't get going because the wicket was still wet."

The visitors played four batsmen who have come fresh from India for the Test series, and the captain emphasised the positives. "The openers got some runs. I got some runs as well. Sameer spent some time in the middle, so it's not bad," Ganguly said. "It would have been nice if the middle order batsmen had got a go as well."

But the Indian skipper added that they must start again from the beginning when the Test match comes around: "We got some good batting practice, but a Test match is a different ball game: the pressure is much higher."

The Indians go into the crucial Test series with just two days' match practice. Ganguly added: "Now we've got to go for the Tests straightaway. The conditions are similar to India; it's no different to back at home."

In the absence of star player Sachin Tendulkar and the consistent VVS Laxman, Ganguly is aware that the Indians need to rethink their batting strategy for the Test matches. "Probably Rahul would bat high in the order I might move up the order as well," he said.

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