Essex Vs India, Day 1 Lunch: Visitors Lose Three Wickets in Tough Conditions
Published - 25 Jul 2018, 07:56 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:53 PM
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Team India started off their Test tour of England with a three-day warm-up match against the Essex county side. As the team management had issues with the pitch conditions and the barren outfield, the match was reduced to a three-day affair. It was scheduled as a four-day practice game.
However, the conditions were not good and hence Essex had no other option but to agree to India’s demands.
It was going to be a tough practice match for the visitors. The Essex bowlers made them feel so in the first session of the opening day.
It was southpaw Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, who walked out in the middle after Team India skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first.
Dhawan, who looked in good touch all through the One-day International series against England was dismissed for a golden duck in the very first over of the match.
Wickets:
Fast bowler Matt Coles dismissed Shikhar Dhawan was brilliant delivery. There was lateral movement on display and Dhawan was unable to adjust to the swing.
Moreover, it was Cheteshwar Pujara, who walked out in the middle to join Vijay. He couldn’t make a mark either and returned to the pavilion on the bowling of Coles. He managed to score just a solitary run as India were tottering at five for the loss of two wickets.
The duo of Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane tried to resurrect the innings, Rahane batted ahead of Kohli to get some match practice.
Rahane struck a couple of gorgeous fours to open his innings. Eventually, Matthew Quinn dismissed Rahane on 17. Finally, it was the Indian batting mainstay Kohli, who walked out in the middle. He looked in great touch from the outset and struck some wonderful shots.
Vijay on the other hand also looked solid. Essex bowlers could hardly trouble the top-order batsman. Also, he struck five fours during his unbeaten knock while Kohli also smashed the same number of boundaries.
