The Hindu : A cracker of a contest on the cards

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2003

Sport

Sport - World Cup

A cracker of a contest on the cards

By Vijay Lokapally

India's batting mainstay Sachin Tendulkar snapped during nets on the eve of a crucial Group A encounter against England. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

DURBAN FEB. 25. Can the oriental magic work again on the English, this time in conditions quite amiable to seam and bounce at the Kingsmead? As the World Cup enters a critical phase the Indians wake up to a startling discovery - they are confronted by an opposition which rates Sachin Tendulkar as just another batsman.

Andrew Caddick says Tendulkar is no different from others in the team. He also contends that India's bowling is not all that effective. The ICC Cricket World Cup match on Wednesday, a day-night clash, should be a memorable contest if Tendulkar pledges to put the English attack in its place.

That it is a crucial encounter is well known. Both teams have 12 points each and face a must-win situation. For India, a victory would mean a lot. Apart from meeting the high expectations of people back home, the team would also have warmed up for the much-awaited match against Pakistan. A defeat, of course, would make it tougher for India to qualify for the Super Six stage.

The English have come a long way from the image they had acquired when they landed. "They'll do well to win the toss at least," was an unkind comment one heard regarding England. Well, the team whipped Pakistan to announce its potential and the Indians would obviously do well to remember that England is a team which believes in collective strength.

The absence of stars offers England a cushion against complacency. The emphasis is clearly on contributions from each individual, unlike India where too much is expected of Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. If Virender Sehwag makes runs, they should be counted as bonus considering his generous ways of gifting his wicket away.

But then Caddick says the English think Tendulkar can be snared as any other batsman. It could well be a ploy by Caddick and company to challenge the Indian master and lure him into making a fatal error, for Tendulkar can transform the course of the match without any support from any quarter. And that is what the English fear the most.

Tendulkar has shown excellent form, and as he said the other day, is enjoying his role as an opener every bit - a slot he regained after much debate within the team and outside. He shall remain the key figure if India is to make progress in the tournament.

During the last match, Ravi Shastri was highlighting Tendulkar's commitment to the game and the team, as he compiled a century in a most disciplined manner. "His loyalty to the team is amazing" remarked Shastri.

For Sanjay Manjrekar, who is a rare commentator when it comes to picking flaws in Tendulkar's approach, it was an innings which reflected the batsman's resolve, his mental strength being a feature of his overall character.

It was quite clear that Tendulkar had made up his mind to hang in. "Someone had to stay and we've decided that whoever gets his eye in must play the role of a sheet anchor," Tendulkar said of his approach in that innings. The team has gained immensely from Tendulkar's awesome batting abilities. Even though Ganguly did not admit it at the post-match conference, it was clear to all how Tendulkar guided his skipper in times of distress. For those who missed watching, Tendulkar ran some splendid runs for the benefit of Ganguly, often picking the danger end at the cost of his own wicket. It was Tendulkar's sound judgement of a run and his contribution towards helping Ganguly regain his touch was selfless.

India will have to pick the ideal combination. There would be no merit in risking seamer Ashish Nehra if he does not recover fully from the ankle injury. A place for Anil Kumble in the attack would add to the English woes even as Ganguly is convinced that the team's strength lies in pace. The pitch would suit Kumble as much as any other bowler but what clinches the argument in the leg-spinner's favour is his immense experience.

Past records do not count at this stage where current form plays the defining part. Here, Tendulkar's excellent run, Ganguly's welcome return to the form and the batting depth should see India through. The bowling front looks incisive and innovative with Ganguly's superb tactical handlingof the attack being the team's forte in such a crucial match.

The English too have shown the desire to battle. Paul Collingwood is an exciting prospect and the pace of Jimmy Anderson needs to be tackled with caution. He has the ability to decimate the batting and it would be interesting to watch how Virender Sehwag takes on Anderson with the promise of lots of fireworks.

On surface the match raises visions of a cracker, what with the teams equally confident and charged up.

The toss obviously will be a vital factor because the team that demonstrates better batting strength stands the chance to win on a bowler-friendly track.

India expects its two senior most members, Tendulkar and Javagal Srinath, to guide the side, regardless of what Caddick thinks.

The teams (from):

India: Sourav Ganguly (Capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Mongia, Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Sanjay Bangar, Ajit Agarkar and Parthiv Patel.

England: Nasser Hussain (Capt), Alec Stewart, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Nick Knight, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Jimmy Anderson, Mathew Hoggard, Ronnie Irani, Andrew Caddick, Craig White and Ian Blackwell.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen and Simon Taufel; Third umpire: Asoka de Silva; Fourth umpire: Shaid Wadvalla; Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle.

Hours of play (IST): 6 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.; 10.15 p.m. onwards.

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