Gobind to lead KZN XI against Indians

India are set to play a two-day practice game against a Kwazulu Natal Invitation XI ahead of the second Test against South Africa on Durban, starting on December 26. The match will be held at Northwood Crusaders Cricket Club, starting on December 22.

Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of selectors, had talked about the considerable gap between the first and second Tests and how important it was for the players to keep themselves match-fit. "A lot of our guys have been sitting on bench and they could easily lose form, so it's important to keep them in loop," Vengsarkar had said. He'd stressed that such a game would benefit a player like Munaf Patel, the fast bowler who'd missed the first Test owing to a sore ankle.

KZN Invitation XI Rivash Gobind (captain), Imraan Khan, Ross McMillan, Martin Bekker, Cedric Mabuya, Michael van Vuuren, Darren Smit, Robert Frylinck, T Pillay, Saidi Mhlongo, Ugasen Govender, M. Serame, Coach: Y. Ebrahim