Laxman, Williams get half centuries for India ‘A’

GEORGETOWN: Struggling India “A” captain VVS Laxman and Connor Williams, struck half centuries to prevent a serious collapse for their team against Guyana on the opening day of their sixth-round Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series regional cricket match at Bourda yesterday.

India “A” struggled to 249 all out, 18 minutes before the scheduled close, and Guyana closed at seven without loss in reply, with Azeemul Haniff (6) and Sewnarine Chattergoon (1), the not out batsmen. Test batsman VVS Laxman (70) and the stylish Conner Williams (58) played well as the Indians generally failed to make use of the good batting conditions after winning the toss and electing to take first strike. Unlike in previous matches where the spinners were Guyana’s trump card, fast bowlers Rayon Griffith (3-50) and Esuan Crandon (3-60), in his first game for the season restricted the India “A” batting, while skipper Neil McGarrell and leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo ended with two for 48 and 81 respectively.