Chelmsford
(England), August 16: Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag
warmed up for next week's third Test against England with
impressive individual performances here Friday as Essex's
batsmen and bowlers both suffered.
Off-spinner Harbhajan
took seven for 83 as Essex were bowled out for 279 in reply to
India's 516.
And when the tourists
chose not to enforce the follow-on, Sehwag made 142 out of India's
231 for two at stumps.
That means India will
start the fourth and final day here Saturday with a lead of 468,
Sanjay Bangar set to resume on 73 not out
Essex's hopes of getting
anywhere near India's imposing total rested on the shoulders of
Zimbabwe international Andy Flower.
He started the day on 45
but added just 14 more run before he was dismissed when Harbhajan
took the outside edge and India captain Sourav Ganguly held the
slip catch.
Harbhajan, then proceeded
to work his way steadily through the Essex card before last man
Joe Grant was bowled by part-time spinner Sehwag for an aggressive
30.
After Ganguly decided to
bat he gave wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel a chance to spend some
time at the crease by promoting him to opener.
But the 17-year-old
managed just one before he fell to veteran ex-England left-arm
seamer Mark Ilott.
However, that was the
last success Essex's bowlers enjoyed for some time.
Sehwag scored in
typically rapid fashion, his century coming from a mere 110 balls
including five sixes.
He eventually fell when
he was caught and bowled by Rav Bopara, having put on 209 with
Bangar.
There was no need for any
heroics at the other end and Bangar scored more sedately, his runs
coming from 171 balls including nine fours.
India, who trail England
1-0 after two matches of the four Test campaign, must win at
Headingley next week if they are to keep alive hopes of winning
their first Test series outside the sub-continent in 16 years.
