LONDON, July 16: Amit Bhandari’s five-wicket haul put India ‘A’ in command on the first day of their three-day match against English county champions Surrey at The Oval here on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old quick bowler took five for 54 as India ‘A’ bowled out their hosts for 173 before reaching 235 for two at stumps.

But Surrey, who can field an entire team of Test players, chose not to include any for this match with England One-day Internationals Rikki Clarke and Alistair Brown the most experienced players in their team.

At the close, Indian number three Sridharan Sriram was 92 not out off just 112 balls with Test batsman Shiv Sunder Das having made 74 before he was lbw to Matthew Todd.

However, some of the shine was taken off India ‘A’s performances as yet again an English county team failed to put out anything like its strongest team for a tour match.

But India ‘A’s next three-day game promises to be a more meaningful contest when they face South Africa at Arundel starting on Saturday.

That will be the Proteas’ last match before next week’s first Test against England at Edgbaston.—AFP