England still behind

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 36

England still behind

NZPA-Reuter Pune, India

Despite an unbeaten century by the opener, Geoff Boycott, England was still 202 runs behind the Indian under-22 side after the second day of their three-day match at Pune vsterdav.

The Indians, who ted by 120 on the first innings after England had declared at 219 for one, were 82 without loss in their second innings at the close.

Boycott, who scored only a single in a one-day match last Wednesday, featured in two century partnerships.

After Chris Tavare was caught by Ghai for 56, Boycott was joined by the captain Keith Fletcher, who ran up another 56.

The Indians, who declared their first innings at the overnight total of 339 for seven, restricted England’s scoring and the tourists took 270 minutes’to score 210.

England’s batsmen, needing batting practice before the test series, provided little excitement for a crowd of over 20,000.

Fletcher closed bis side’s innings shortly after tea, hoping his fast bowlers would achieve an early breakthrough, but the Indian opening batsmen, Krish Srikanth (44) and Shashi Khandkar (34), defied England’s attack, making 82 off only II overs in the remaining 50 minutes.

The Indian side’s Srikanth, who hit a brilliant 87 in the first innings, showed form again. Batting aggressively, he punched a short rising ball for a six from the fastmedium bowler, lan Botham.