Rain ruins India’s warm-up before Boxing Day Test

Dec 22:  Forty-eight overs batting practice that all India could get to warm up themselves before Boxing Day Test

Two-and-a-half hours on day one and ten overs on day two that’s all the Indian team could get to warm-up themselves prior to the start of crucial four match Test series against formidable Australia.

The bowlers didn’t even get a chance to roll their wrist over, India's only game before the Boxing Day Test, against Victoria since the match was abandoned on the third day without even a single ball being bowled due to persistent torrential rains in Melbourne.

Overnight showers and a damp pitch denied Indian team a vital match practice on the final day in the three days that they got against Victoria at the Junction Oval as no play was possible on the third day with Indians innings being finished at 4 for 133 with Rahul Dravid on 38 and Yuvraj Singh on 6.

Kumble boys will now have to rely on indoors for the much-needed practice before the start of the Boxing Day Test as they can train at the MCG indoor nets. They have got no other option left but to complete their preparations indoors with more rain forecasted over the next few days.

Meanwhile the good news for the Indian squad is the upcoming Test would not be hampered with rains driving in since there is a warm change of forecast has been predicted for Melbourne on Christmas Day, which means Sunny days are ahead to welcome the Indian team for the first couple of days of the Test.

Result : Match drawn

Indians 1st innings

W Jaffer c Finch b Wise 0

R Dravid not out 38

VVS Laxman c Wade b Wise 1

SR Tendulkar b Wise 19

SC Ganguly c Blizzard b Wise 59

Yuvraj Singh not out 6

Extras: (lb 1, nb 9) 10

Total: (4 wickets; 48 overs) 133 (2.77 runs per over)

Did not bat: IK Pathan, MS Dhoni, I Sharma, RP Singh, Pankaj Singh

Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Jaffer), 2-10 (Laxman), 3-38 (Tendulkar) and 4-121 (Ganguly)

Bowling

PM Siddle 15 1 43 0 2.86 (6nb)

AB Wise 15 4 37 4 2.46 (3nb)

AB McDonald 6 1 11 0 1.83

JW Hastings 6 2 17 0 2.83

BE McGain 6 2 24 0 4.00

Toss: Indians won the toss and chose to bat first

Umpires : PR Reiffel and JD Ward