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June 1, 2006

Half centuries from Wasim Jaffer, Laxman, Kaif and Dhoni on the second and final day of their warm up match against Antigua & Barbuda oozed some good confidence for the Indian team ahead of the 1st Test. Although the bowling from the homeside was pedestrian, India would take heart from the valuable time spent by these batsmen in the middle. Laxman and Dhoni, both were sparkling and were the best of the lot. Laxman scored a solid 72 with the help of 9 fours and he batted for 122 balls. This innings from Laxman will give him and Team India plenty of hope ahead of the Antigua Test Match. Wasim Jaffer, who was the overnight batsman along with Laxman, scored a neat half century as well and he stroked the ball with ease as he always does. Yuvraj, Raina and Dhoni, who took a break from fielding during Antigua’s batting were all drafted into the batting line up with the mutual consent of the homeside. Dravid, Yuvraj and Raina had all flopped, getting out for small scores. It was Kaif, who put on a solid hundred run partnership with Laxman to keep India in control of their innings. The locals who had come to watch this game were given their time worth by the late flourish from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who smashed 60 with the help of 8 fours and a six. So it’s just a day’s break that the Indians would get as they get into the five day Test Match against a much stronger side in West Indies at the Antigua Recreation Ground in the same city of St.John’s.

Antigua & Barbuda 1st Inngs 300 drew with Indians 1st Inngs 311/9 (Laxman 72 Dhoni 60* Kaif 53 Jaffer 52, Justin Athanaze 3/79)
 

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