August 05, 2007	Sunday	Rajab 20, 1428

LEICESTER (England), Aug 4: Ranadeb Bose pushed his claims for a Test recall by taking five wickets on the first day of India's three-day match against Sri Lanka ‘A’ here on Friday.

Pace bowler Bose, yet to feature in the ongoing Test series against England which sees India 1-0 up following a seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge ahead of the third and final match at The Oval starting on Thursday, took five for 51 as Sri Lanka ‘A’ were bowled out for 266.

He was well-supported by off-spinner Ramesh Powar, who took four for 85.

Powar, also yet to play in the Test series with India opting

for experienced leg-spinner

Anil Kumble as their specialist slow bowler, enjoyed a purple patch of three wickets in four balls.At stumps, India were 25 for one.

India rested several key players for this match ahead of The Oval finale with batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly omitted along with the Test pace attack of Zaheer Khan, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Rudra Pratap Singh.

The trio's absence gave the 28-year-old Bose a chance to shine and he struck either side of lunch to take three top-order wickets in Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Warnapura and Michael Vandort, out for 52.

Sri Lanka A captain Thilan Samaraweera scored 75 off 100 balls with nine fours before becoming the first of three wickets in four balls for Powar, with the Lankans losing their last four wickets for seven runs.

Before the close Dinesh Karthik, impressive at Trent Bridge, was caught behind for 11.

Summarised scores:

SRI LANKA ‘A’ 266 (T.T. Samaraweera 75, M.G. Vandort 52; R. Bose 5-51, R.R. Powar 4-85); INDIA 25-1.—AFP