India Extend Fine Batting Form

India carried over their fine batting form from the second nPower test match, into the first day of their encounter with Essex, at Chelmsford.

Shiv Sunder Das hit a fine unbeaten 165, to boost his so far ailing form on this tour. Surely now he will replace the struggling Wasim Jaffer for the third test against England at Headingley. Virender Sehwag also hit 37, and Laxman 46.

Perhaps the most promising aspect of the batting for India is that 17 year-old wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel is slowly finding his feet with the bat. He made 17 not out in the second innings at Trent Bridge, and made 32 at Chelmsford.

The match is three days long, and so will end on Friday.