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Panesar scalps five

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: England Lions was reduced to 86 for seven in its second innings, on the second day of the three-day warm up game against Mumbai XI at the Brabourne Stadium here on Wednesday after Monty Panesar’s five-wicket haul had earned the side a first innings lead of 146 runs.

Panesar’s five for 38 in 10.5 overs restricted the home team to 165. Mumbai seamers Dhaval Kulkarni and Usman Malvi hit back with wicket-taking spells when the visitors batted again.

Middlesex’s Allan Richardson proved ideal foil to Panesar, taking two wickets. At 32 he has not given up hopes of playing for England.

“I don’t have goals, but this England Lions chance is a nice mini-step towards the next level. Playing with Liam Plunkett, Panesar will be an experience in as much as playing in Indian conditions and against the Indian spinners. I had spent two weeks here in 2006 as part of the Middlesex CC team. It was a seamer friendly wicket here today and I enjoyed it,” said Richardson, who has played grade cricket in Sydney for seven years.

Richardson is also looking forward to meeting left-arm spinner Murali Kartik who will be the overseas player for the London county in 2008. “We have exchanged a few text messages. I will meet him in Baroda next week and will pick his brains,” said Richardson.

England Lions is the overseas team this year for the Duleep Trophy championship. It will play Central and West Zone at Baroda.

The England Lions tour of India will be followed by the top eight or nine players each from Lancashire, Yorkshire, Glocestershire, Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire spending a couple of weeks at Mohali and Mumbai before the start of the 2008 county championship.

“You cannot do much at home in March-April. So the visit to India will be a experience to all the players,” said Richardson.

The scores: England Lions 311 for eight declared and 86 for seven vs Mumbai XI 165 (Anup Revankar 48, M. Panesar five for 38).

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