Indian bowlers struggle as CAC XI make 398/6

India's bowling failed to make much impression on the Australian Cricket XI dominated the opening day of the chairman of its two-day practice match, making 398 for six declared at Manuka Oval, Canberra on Thursday.

Regular captain Mahendra Singh dhoni opted against playing the game and Rahul Dravid took over the captaincy in his absence.

Picking out after winning the toss, the Indians started strong, but the CAC XI wriggles through a tense situation with contrasting centuries opener Wes Robinson -143 and Tom Cooper (182 not out) to visit a blunt attack.

Although the Indians struck back in the last hour, but the CAC XI was all the weaknesses of the Indian attack, as he takes off without any experience of Zaheer Khan.

Young pacer Umesh Yadav was the first strike, when he was CAC XI captain Ryan Broad -8 caught behind in the 10th Wriddhimaan of.

Umesh actually managed to create the appearance of a stingy scalping Three wickets conceding just 39 runs in 15 overs.

The next guy, Joe Burns -21 does not last long either Pragyan Ojha, who bowled 86 overs 25 days, rattled his stumps.

CAC XI looked in trouble at lunch with the scoreboard reading 53 / 2, but Robinson and Cooper began a slow recovery, building a 226-run partnership for the third wicket.

The two batsmen frustrated the Indian attack, which was further hindered by the pacer Ishant Sharma, walked off the field after the completion of just 5.3 overs. It was not clear just why Ishant was taken off the field.

Abhimanyu Mithun was not able to grab a wicket when he was economical, giving away 40 runs in 12 overs. R Vinay Kumar, who was drafted into the squad after injury Varun Aaron was ousted, was a big disappointment will be 89 runs in 17 overs although he managed to get a wicket.

With the Indian bowlers going wicket-less second session, Robinson and Cooper to lead CAC XI 186 / 2 at tea, and both batsmen were close to the hundreds at this time.

Post-tea, it does not take long for them to reach this milestone and to strengthen the position of their contrasting CAC XI innings.

Although Robinson played a patient knock that came off 215 deliveries, Cooper had more attack and almost scored a run-a-ball was in his 192-ball knock.

Although Robinson's innings included 13 sixes and half a dozen shorts, Cooper sent a whopping 24 boundaries and a maximum of three hits.

Robinson's marathon knock finally ended Ojha, who else was taken during the cleaning of his 25.3 overs, 149 runs that gave the opposition batsmen.

Sachin Tendulkar has been holed up for a left-handed leg-side while attempting to slam the limit for Ojha.

But little effect on the dismissal of Cooper, who built an aggressive 92-run fourth wicket stand Alex Doolan.

Duo reached more than a month to stand at the time that came off 13 overs before Doolan was trapped leg-before by Umesh Yadav. His 35-ball cameo included three pair of pants.

After the dismissal of Doolan, CAC XI lost a couple of quick wickets and is 363 / 4, the team was 398 / 6 before deciding to declare their innings.

Indians will play another practice match at the same place December 19 to 21 before heading to the opening Test against Australia in Melbourne from 26 December

Article Source:- http://www.hindustantimes.com/Cricket/CricketNews/Indian-bowlers-struggle-as-CAC-XI-make-398-6/Article1-782630.aspx