Chelmsford: India opener Shiv Sunder Das pushed his case for a recall to the Test side with an unbeaten 165 on the opening day of the tour match against Essex on Wednesday.

Das has not featured in either of the first two Tests but, with India 1-0 down in the four-match series ahead of next week's third Test at Headingley, he took his chance to impress with style.

In all he faced 260 balls including one six and 25 fours as India finished the first day of four on 331 for six. Earlier both Sanjay Bangar (21) and Test opener Virender Sehwag (37) fell to off spinner James Middlebrook after promising starts.

Venkat Sai Laxman (46) shared an 85-run partnership with Das before he was caught at point by Darren Robinson off fast-medium bowler Joe Grant.

Wasim Jaffer (19) became Middlebrook's third victim while Parthiv Patel (32), whose debut heroics with the bat at Trent Bridge helped India save the second Test, also fell before stumps.

Ajay Ratra (1) was the sixth batsman dismissed. But India captain Saurav Ganguly will resume on Thursday on 3 not out.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Abdominal muscle tear forces White out of 3rd Test
Patel wins hearts of hard-boiled English players