Dighe leads fightback against Australia

Sameer Dighe hit an superb 84 to lead a spirited fightback by Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai against Australia on the opening day of their three-day match at the Brabourne stadium, in Bombay, on Thursday.

The Mumbai skipper received excellent support from Sairaj Bahutule, 51, and Ramesh Powar, 65 not out, as the hosts scored 328 for 9 by close of play. Nilesh Kulkarni, 14, was the other unbeaten batsman.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne suffered was the one to suffer some rough treatment as Dighe, Bahutule and Powar went on a run-spree after tea.

The ace spinner was hit for 81 off 19 overs, managing one solitary wicket as the touring side, in their last warm-up game ahead of the first Test, were frustrated by the local tailenders.

Dighe's 84 was inclusive of 14 fours. He was involved in a 117-run sixth-wicket partnership with Bahutule after Australia had reduced the home team to 82 for five soon after lunch.

Bahutule and his skipper plundered 13 runs each from two successive overs by Warne.

Damien Fleming finally had Dighe caught behind by Adam Gilchrist and Bahutule was trapped leg before by part-time bowler Ricky Ponting, who claimed two wickets from six overs.

The Australian attack, led by paceman Glenn McGrath, was further frustrated by number nine Rajesh Powar, who made an unbeaten run-a-ball 65 and helped up on 59 for the last wicket with Nilesh Kulkarni.

McGrath claimed three for 46 from 19 overs on a slow, low pitch. His worst indignity came when number 10 Paras Mhambrey hit him for three consecutive fours.

McGrath's victims included former Test player Vinod Kambli. The left-hander edged to Ponting in the slips without scoring.

Warne's one victim was number three Jatin Paranjpe, removed for 27 as Fleming, running backwards, held a tumbling catch at long-on.

The first Test starts in Bombay on February 27.

Scoreboard

Mumbai (1st innings):
V.Mane b Hayden 19
W.Jaffer c M.Waugh b McGrath 16
J.Paranjpe c Fleming b Warne 27
A.Muzumdar lbw b Miller 1
V.Kambli c Ponting b McGrath 0
S.Dighe c Gilchrist b Fleming 84
S.Bahutule lbw b Ponting 51
R.Morris c Gilchrist b Ponting 2
R.Powar not out 65
P.Mhambrey c Fleming b McGrath 19
N.Kulkarni not out 14
Extras (B5, LB16, NB9) 30
Total (for nine wickets, 94 overs): 328
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-52, 3-57, 4-57, 5-82, 6-199, 7-202, 8-265, 9-269
Bowling: Glenn McGrath 19-6-46-3 (nb-3), Damien Fleming 19-4-56-1 (nb-3), Colin Miller 21-6-64-1 (nb-1), Matthew Hayden 7-0-37-1, Shane Warne 19-4-81-1 (nb-1), Mark Waugh 3-0-13-0, Ricky Ponting 6-0-10-2 (nb-1)

Mail Cricket Editor