India wrapped up its preparations for Melbourne with a farcical final day of the tour match in Canberra which at least proved fast bowler Ishant Sharma is on track to lead the attack in the four-Test series against Australia.
Sharma was not included in the original 13-man squad to play at Manuka Oval because of his battles with an ankle injury.
But the Chairman's XI agreed to a request for him to bowl anyway on Wednesday as the match ended in a bizarre draw.
The three-dayer was not a first-class affair and was only ever intended as a practice match, but three nonsensical declarations on the final day ensured it will be a hard one to explain in the record books.
David Warner's Chairman's XI declared its first innings at 7 for 215 overnight, meaning they trailed India's first-up 269 by 54 runs.
India would have been hoping for Virender Sehwag to spend some time in the middle in the first session on day three, but when he was out to Peter George for the second time in the match for just one, the tourists declared in time for an early lunch at 2 for 90.
Set 145 for victory, Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes opened the batting for the Chairman's XI, motivated by their axings from the Test side.
Khawaja made 56 not out and Hughes an unbeaten 42 to be 0 for 100, but despite victory being no more than an hour away, both teams decided enough was enough and a draw was declared.
There weren't enough fans at Manuka Oval to really care and the main concern was India being able to get away to Melbourne where the real fun will begin.
Coach Duncan Fletcher has already warned his players not to get sucked into Australian mind games ahead of the first Test on Boxing Day.
The former England mentor has a controversial history with the Australian team and is wary of having his preparations disrupted by outside influences.
Indian management has gone out of its way to play down the injury to Sharma and reports of the team giving preliminary consideration to leaving rainy Canberra early for Melbourne.
"He's a very experienced coach. He's got a great idea about the game," young spinner Pragyan Ojha said.
"We had a meeting and that (mind games) was one of the first points.
"They will try and come at you, and you would have to me mentally strong and be calm."
Sharma bowled four overs (0 for 18) and Zaheer Khan five overs (0 for 13) on Wednesday which suggests the star pair who have been battling injury, will be on deck to spearhead the Indians against Australia.
"I don't know how fit Sharma is going to be but it's a risk if both him and Zaheer are in the team and they both break down," newly selected Australian Test opener Ed Cowan said.
"I'm sure they're aware of that as well."
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, manuka-2603, act, australia, india First posted December 21, 2011 18:06:15
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