Ganguly down with fever

Says he is keen to go out and bat against New Zealand A despite a sore throat

MUMBAI: Sourav Ganguly is down with fever and a sore throat. Even as he is bent on having a good session in the middle on Saturday against the visiting New Zealand A side in Chennai, the former India captain, now virtually on notice to perform or perish, has not had a good beginning to the four-day match which started in Chennai on Friday. He was out of the field for a substantial period of time when the Suresh Raina-led India A fielded against the Kiwis.

So will he be able to bat on Saturday? Ganguly sounded confident, as always.
“Absolutely,” Dada told DNA from Chennai on Thursday night. “I came all the way for the match and I’m looking forward to it.”

He, however, admitted that he is not feeling well. “Suddenly I felt feverish. I’ve also got a sore throat. But these things happen.” So is it a setback for the Test preparation…? “Not at all... I’m looking forward to a long session tomorrow. I’m confident.”

Ganguly spent time in the dressing room gurgling with lukewarm water.

Over the phone, the former India captain sounded clearly unwell but the veteran of 109 Tests expressed eagerness to go out in the middle. “I want to spend as much time in the middle as I can. I did not sit in the dressing room when we fielded. I fielded in the first session and the last session too.”

When asked how was the preparation for the match and the upcoming Test series against Australia, Ganguly said he was happy with the practice session that he had in Chennai on Thursday with India A coach Dav Whatmore. “It went off very well and I’m feeling confident.” Is he confident of doing well in the Bangalore Test? “I’m looking forward to the Test,” he said. Meanwhile, captain Suresh Raina expressed a desire to have a long session in the middle on the morrow. “It is nice to have players like Dada and RP Singh in the side. I’m hoping for a big partnership with Dada on Friday.”

NZ A 270 for 3

New Zealand A were 270 for 3 against India A at Chepauk in Chennai. Electing to bat, opener AJ Redmond hit a century and put on 190 for the first wicket with fellow opener MJ Guptill (80).

Brief scores: New Zealand A 270 for 3 (Redmond 105, Guptill 80, Hay batting 44, Amit Mishra 2 for 62, RP Singh 1 for 57) vs India A.