Harbhajan injury clouds Indian win India were ruing the possible loss of star off-spinner Harbhajan Singh a short while after sealing a nine-wicket win against a weakened Guyana Board President’s XI. Singh hurt his shoulder while attempting a throw from the boundary on the final day of the three-dayer which India won by nine wickets, and might now have to sit out of the first Test which starts on Thursday. Sarandeep Singh, the Delhi off-spinner, has been placed on stand by by the BCCI. Earlier, Singh and Anil Kumble with five and seven wickets respectively in the match ensured that a full-strength Indian XI won with plenty to spare despite only putting up a modest first innings score of 248. The failure of most batsmen to make runs against the weak bowling attack of the home side was brushed aside by the Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, who said, “The better the attack, the more you concentrate. It's the first game of the tour. A couple of the batsmen did make the most of the opportunity by spending time in the middle. I'm sure our batting will pick up as the tour progresses." Ganguly himself, however, made a useful 52. VVS Laxman, who made 43, and all-rounder Sanjay Bangar with an unbeaten 76 were the other Indian batsmen to make a favourable impression.

Lara, Williams and Murray in West Indies Test squad Brain Lara is ready to play against the Indians. The West Indies selectors included the champion batsman, who has recovered from an elbow injury, in the 13-man squad for the first and second Test against the Sourav Ganguly-led tourists. Opener Stuart Williams and wicket-keeper Junior Murray were two other people sporting grins on earning recalls after spending almost three years in the wilderness. The duo were rewarded for their consistent performances in the Busta Cup, the premier domestic tournament in the Carribean. While Williams might still not make it to the final XI, Murray is certain to play being as he is the only specialist ‘keeper. Making way for them are Daren Ganga and wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs, the erstwhile vice-captain. Leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo and opening bowler Marlon Black were also recalled. Prominent among the new faces is fast bowler Adam Sanford. The 25-year-old Dominica-born right-arm quick, who claimed 41 wickets in the recently-concluded edition of the Busta Cup, has been rated highly by former fast bowling great Colin Croft. Sanford happens to be the first representative of the indigenous people of the Carribean to find a place in the Test squad. The squad have been asked to assemble by Monday evening at Georgetown, which will host the first Test from April 11-15. West Indies squad: Carl Hooper (captain), Chris Gayle, Stuart Williams, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds, Junior Murray, Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Adam Sanford, Marlon Black, Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Pitch invasions banned in Guyana It has become a common sight to see a liberal sprinkling of policemen at international grounds and Guyana will be no exception come Thursday. About 130 officers from the local constabulary will be present on each day of the first Test at the Bourda Oval, the most picturesque of West Indian grounds, to prevent pitch invasions of the kind last witnessed when South Africa took on West Indies last year. Conrad Plummer of the Guyanese Cricket Board while speaking to the BBC said, "There will be zero tolerance with regard to spectators going onto the field of play for whatever reason. The police will decide if sterner penalties will be applied depending on the behaviour of the offender." With about 42% of the population made up by people of Indian descent, an almost even distribution of supporters is expected. A healthy presence of the police force then might prove a wise move indeed.

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