India finish on a high after RP Singh's heroics

HOVE, July 10: An impressive all-rounder's performance by Rudra Pratap Singh and Anil Kumble's wily leg-spin saw India come close to a dramatic win after a tense final day's play in the cricket warm up match against English County Champions Sussex that ended in a draw here on Tuesday.
21-year-old Singh was the key to India's turnaround in the fourth and final day that saw the tourists recover from a middle order collapse in the second innings and go on to push for a surprise victory.
Singh hit a quick fire 41 that helped India post a second innings total of 188 for 8 declared and set Sussex a target of 273 from a minimum of 55 overs.
The Uttar Pradeshi left-arm seamer then returned to claim 2 for 28 before Kumble wielded his magic.
The hosts were cruising at 96 for 3 before they lost four wickets for 27 runs in the space of seven overs and were reduced to 123 for 7.
Kumble struck in successive overs to dismiss Michael Thornely (11) and opener Richard Montgomerie (59) before returning to account for No. 10 James Kirtley (8).
All-rounder Robin Martin-Jenkins, however, thwarted the Indian surge with a resolute knock of 45 not out.
He added 29 vitals runs for the eighth wicket with former Pakistani offie Saqlain Mushtaq (9) and later combined with last man Jason Lewry (8 no) to see his side remain unconquered on 190 for 9.
Kumble bagged 3-57 while Kerala paceman S Sreesanth chipped in with 2-47.
India next play a three-day match against England 'A' at Chelmsford ground from Friday.
The first Test at Lord's starts from July 19.
Singh, with his breezy 46-ball knock that contained seven fours, was the dominant partner in a 64-run stand with captain Rahul Dravid.
The duo lifted the innings that had one stage been reduced to to 120 for eight.
Dravid, who missed the last two days of play due to a strain on his left calf muscle, came out to bat at number seven with Kaarthick as his runner.
And he batted with a high degree of confidence against both pace and spin to steer his side to safety along with RP Singh who enjoyed himself playing a cameo knock.
Resuming at 21 for 2, India lost quick wickets this morning in face of some impressive bowling by the Sussex bowlers.
Both Kaarthick and Yuvraj Singh were given a soul-searching examination in face of some aggressive medium pace bowling by James Kirtley, Martin-Jenkins and Lewry.
VVS Laxman played a glorious on-drive off Martin-Jenkins and square drove Saqlain to the fence was out in an unfortunate manner.
He became a victim of a freak dismissal when his back foot drive off the same bowler hit the silly point fielder on his boot and ballooned up for Hodd to complete the catch.
After lunch, Yardy took two wickets off successive balls in his very first over.
Yardy, bowling his left-arm, accounted for Anil Kumble and Sreesanth, having them caught at short leg.
When Sussex batted, Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not take the field due to a sore thumb.
Kaarthick donned the wicketkeeper's gloves in his place.