Venkat cameo in one-day match

Press, 30 January 1986, Page 22

Venkat cameo in one-day match

NZPA-APP Adelaide The wily Indian team manager and former fin-ger-spinning legend, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, made a cameo appearance for his country as India comfortably downed a valiant Australian Country XI in a one-day match at the Adelaide Oval yesterday. The Australians could hold their heads high after an admirable performance against the tourists, who rested key players in preparation for the remaining World Series Cup matches against Australia and New Zealand. It was obvious from the

start, however, that only the Australians’ enthusiasm matched the cricketing ability of the world one-day champions.

Not that the unusual collection of school teachers, farmers, public servants, a real estate agent, policeman, storeman and cartographer should have been expected to upset their professional opponents. After grinding a modest total of 181 in their allotted 50 overs on a run-ripe Adelaide wicket, the Australians lost the match on the fifth ball of the 42nd over of the Indian innings. Rujeev Kulkarni flicked off his pads for two to

take his side's score to 5182 to wrap up the match. Venkat, as he’s affectionately known, showed glimpses of the artistry which made him one of the most feared slow bowlers in the world until his first-class retirement early last year. In 13 overs, he yielded 2 for 29 and bowled with the same guile and slyness he displayed when playing for either India, or Derbyshire in the English County Championship. Venkat, aged 41, was a veteran of 57 tests (five as captain) during which he returned 156 test scalps.