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Australia out for 218

Captain Ricky Ponting (5) continued to come a cropper in India as Australia floundered against Rajasthan Cricket Association’s Centre of Excellence team in a two-day practice match, folding up for 218 on the first day here.

Home team left-arm spinner Gajendra Singh was the wrecker-in-chief returning with five for 58 including the prized scalps of Ponting, who has always battled for form in India, and his deputy Michael Clarke (2) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Sumit Mathur returned with two for 39 while Venugopal Rao, who reached here late in the evening from Chandigarh to lead the local team, claimed one wicket to deny the Australians a good start in their tour to India. At the draw of stumps, the RCA side were 38 for two from 11 overs with Venugopal and Gagan Khoda on 18 each.

Opener Simon Katich top-scored for the visitors with a strokeful 73 off 105 balls on a dry pitch which was keeping low as the day progressed.

Tags: Australia, RCA