HOVE (England), July 9: The Indians ended the second day of their four-day tour match against Sussex in a strong position here on Sunday. V.V.S. Laxman (95) and Yuvraj Singh (31) dominated the first session before a post-lunch collapse, triggered by Ollie Rayner and Saqlain Mushtaq, forced Rahul Dravid to declare the innings on 388 for 7.
The Indian bowlers took time to hit the right lengths but managed to prise out wickets regularly as Sussex ended the day on 146 for 5, trailing by 242 runs with five wickets in hand.
Only stand-in skipper Michael Yardy showed resistance during a gritty 53.
The tourists began the day on 281 for 3 with Laxman and Yuvraj Singh adding 76 after Rahul Dravid retired hurt overnight due to a mild calf strain.
Scoreboard
INDIA (1st Innings, overnight 281-3):
K.D. Karthik b Saqlain 76
Wasim Jaffer c Hodd b Martin-Jenkins 12
G. Gambhir c and b Yardy 81
R. Dravid retired hurt 57
V.V.S. Laxman c Montgomerie b Saqlain 95
Yuvraj Singh st Hodd b Rayner 31
M.S. Dhoni lbw b Rayner 5
A. Kumble c Montgomerie b Saqlain 2
S. Sreesanth not out 7
EXTRAS (B-12, LB-6, W-3, NB-1) 22
TOTAL (for seven decl, 130.5 overs) 388
FALL OF WKTS: 1-37, 2-166, 3-206, 4-357, 5-367, 6-375, 7-388.
DID NOT BAT: R.P. Singh, R.R. Bose.
BOWLING: Lewry 21-6-53-0; Kirtley 24-7-69-0; Martin-Jenkins 21-5-48-1; Liddle 15-1-48-0 (1w); Saqlain Mushtaq 29.5-4-71-3 (1nb); Yardy 9-1-33-1; Rayner 8-0-34-2 (1w); Hopkinson 3-0-14-0.
SUSSEX (1st Innings):
C.D. Nash c Karthik b Bose 28
R.R. Montgomerie c Karthik b Sreesanth 18
M.H. Yardy c Laxman b Kumble 53
C.D. Hopkinson lbw b R.P. Singh 5
M.A. Thornely b Kumble 2
A.J. Hodd not out 21
R.S.C. Martin-Jenkins not out 0
EXTRAS (B-3, LB-5, W-9, NB-2) 19
TOTAL (for five wkts, 47 overs) 146
FALL OF WKTS: 1-30, 2-66, 3-75, 4-105, 5-144.
TO BAT: Saqlain Mushtaq, R.J. Kirtley, J.D. Lewry, O.P. Rayner.
BOWLING (to-date): R.P. Singh 10-2-32-1 (3w); Sreesanth 12-5-24-1 (1w); Bose 12-4-37-1 (1w); Kumble 11-2-28-2 (1nb); Yuvraj Singh 2-0-17-0.
UMPIRES: G.I. Burgess and K. Coburn.—Agencies