December 21, 2007	Friday	Zilhaj 10, 1428

MELBOURNE, Dec 20: Saurav Ganguly scored a half century as India’s first day of their tour of Australia was severely hampered by heavy rain on Thursday.

Torrential rain caused a delay to the start of their three-day match against Victoria and thunderstorms and heavy rain later in the day forced the abandonment after tea.

The visitors reached 110 for three after only 38 overs of play.

Former captain Rahul Dravid, who was promoted to open with Wasim Jaffer, crafted a patient 33 off 112 balls after left-arm fast bowler Allan Wise had torn through India’s top order.

Wise had Jaffer caught for a duck, then had V.V.S Laxman caught by wicket-keeper Matthew Wade for just one to leave India struggling at 10 for two in the fourth over at the Junction Oval in suburban Melbourne.

Sachin Tendulkar became Wise’s third victim when he was bowled for 19.

Dravid then combined with Ganguly, who was the more aggressive, stroking eight boundaries to reach 51 before more torrential rain and lightning swept across the city and ended the match early.

Scoreboard

INDIA 1st innings

W. Jaffer c Finch b Wise 0

R. Dravid not out 33

V. Laxman c Wade b Wise 1

S. Tendulkar b Wise 19

S. Ganguly not out 51

EXTRAS (LB-1, NB-5) 6

TOTAL (for 3 wkts) 110

FALL OF WKTS: 1-3, 2-10, 3-38.

BOWLING: Siddle 11-0-37-0 (4nb) Wise 10-3-22-3 (1nb) McDonald 6-1-11-0 Hastings 6-2-17-0 McGain 5-2-22-0.

UMPIRES: P. Reiffel (AUS), J. Ward (AUS).—Agencies