Ganguly joins team for first Test

Captain Sourav Ganguly [ Images ] joined the Indian cricket team on Thursday ahead of the first Test against South Africa [ Images ] starting at Kanpur on Saturday.

Ganguly has been suspended for two matches by the International Cricket Council [ Images ] after the team's a slow over rate during the Platinum Jubilee one-day international against Pakistan in Kolkata [ Images ] last week.

It was the second time in 12 months India [ Images ] had committed such an offence under the leadership of Ganguly, a Level 2 offence under ICC's [ Images ] Code of Conduct for captains. The regulations, however, allow him to play until his appeal was adjudicated on.

The ICC has appointed New Zealand [ Images ] lawyer Tim Castle to hear Ganguly's appeal against the ban. The skipper headed straight to the pitch upon arrival at the Green Park ground.

He then had a light practice session during which he batted for 15-20 minutes.