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U-19: Anil Naidu's effort saves day for India
Jan 09, 2001, 17:45 Hrs (IST)

Mumbai: A superb knock by middle order batsman Alind Naidu (83) and his 106-run partnership with captain Ajay Ratra (43) helped save the blushes for India under-19 as they were dismissed for 257 after electing to bat on the first day of the four-day Test against their English counterparts being played at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday. At close of play on the first day England had made 24 without losing any wicket.

Alind Naidu came in at the fall of the third wicket at 64 and when he was dismissed the score was 229 for eight. Naidu played both the seamers and the spinners with equal confidence and showed great temperament while wickets fell all around him.

G Rao and K Khadkikar were also out cheaply to leave India under-19 at a precarious 102 for five, when the captain joined Naidu in the middle. Both the batsmen then rescued India with some sensible batting with Naidu playing shots all round the wicket. The execution of cover drives and flicks through the midwicket region by Naidu were to perfection and with Ratra also showing good temperament, it looked like both the batsmen would take India out of the woods.

However, after adding 106 runs for the sixth wicket in 28.5 overs, Ratra was caught by Monty Panesar off MacGurry for a well made 43 at the stroke of tea. Ratra's 43 came in 85 balls with five hits to the fence.

UNI