India 69 for one at lunch against Sussex

Hove, July 7 (UNI) India were off to a watchful start making 69 for one in the first session of their warm up match against Sussex which marked the beginning of team's three-month long English sojourn here today.

Dinesh Karthik (34) and Gautam Gambhir (17) were occupying the crease at lunch, playing out the session after Wasim Jaffer departed early.

Both Karthik and Jaffer began cautiously amid windy conditions after Rahul Dravid won the toss and elected to bat.

The Mumbaikar looked more tentative and after a couple of misses, edged Martin-Jenkins to wicketkeeper Hodd. Jaffer 12 came in 47 balls and India were 37 when the first wicket fell.

Karthick on the other showed glimpses of the talent that he is, negotiating well with the swing and sending an odd ball to the fence.

Earlier, India included Bengal medium pacer Ranadeb Bose in the team while Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Zaheer Khan were rested.

Veteran leggie Anil Kumble and Mumbai batsman Wasim Jaffer also joined the squad while VVS Laxman took to the field for the first time since January.

Brief score: (India 69/1, Karthik 34 (n.o), Gambhir 18 (n.o.); Martin-Jenkins 19 for 1) Teams: India: Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid (capt), VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Sreesanth, RP Singh, Anil Kumble, Ranadeb Bose.

Sussex: Richard Montogerie, Andy Hodd (wk), Carl Hopkinson, James Kirtley, Jason Lewry, Chris Liddle, Robin Martin-Jenkins, Chris Nash, Ollie Rayner, Michael Thorney, Michael Yardy (capt), Saqlain Mushtaq UNI