Ganguly hopes to play second Test

India [ Images ] captain Sourav Ganguly [ Images ] is optimistic about playing in the second and final Test against South Africa [ Images ] after giving evidence to an appeal hearing into his two-match ban on Thursday.

Ganguly was suspended by the International Cricket Council [ Images ] (ICC [ Images ]) because of his side's slow over rate in a one-day international against Pakistan at Kolkata [ Images ] on November 13. He has been named in a 14-man squad for the Test pending the result of the appeal.

"It was a very long telephonic conference and it went well. I'm hopeful," Ganguly told reporters after the hearing conducted by New Zealand [ Images ] lawyer Tim Castle.

"We'll come to know only by tomorrow. It's the ICC's decision. It looked very good and I hope everything works out."

The match starts in Kolkata, Ganguly's home town, on Sunday.

He was allowed to play in the first Test which ended in a draw in Kanpur on Wednesday because his appeal against match referee Clive Lloyd's [ Images ] suspension could not be heard in time.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid [ Images ] will take over the captaincy if the appeal is dismissed.