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Eden turf may not suit stroke-makers
Once again, we see Australia and India in a final. The Indians have yet another chance to avenge the mauling in the World Cup, writes Arun Lal.
Once again, we see Australia and India in a final, that promises to be a treat for all cricket lovers. The Indians, arguably the No. 2 team in the world in the one-day format, have yet another chance to avenge the mauling at the hands of Australia in the World Cup.
Australia are well ahead of the rest of the world and have had the better of India in this competition. They are a champion side and their body language exudes confidence.
The batting is strong and deep but has been flourishing on the back of a devastating opening partnership of Adam Glichrist and Matthew Hayden. Both these players along with Ricky Ponting would be in the top five of world cricket today.
These three are awesome talent and their aggression is frightening. Their game plan is dependent on pulverising the opposition, forcing them to try and do things differently and in the process making more mistakes.
Currently they hold a 3-0 advantage over the Indian attack. Hayden, it seems, is off-form but is doing what is sensible, keeping a low profile and giving the bulk of the strike to his partner. Ponting and Martyn are also in tremendous nick and with Symonds, Clarke and the dependable Bevan, the team looks almost impregnable.
If at all there is a weakness and that is only relatively speaking, it is in the bowling. Nathan Bracken and Brad Williams have exceeded expectations and that is exactly the point.
Can they be expected to carry on in this fashion? Andy Bichel has struggled for line and length. The fourth and fifth bowlers have been far from menacing. It is this relative chink in the armour that has been well shielded by some huge totals so far.
India too are looking like a strong batting side, after the near flawless show at Hyderabad against the Kiwis. Sachin Tendulkar is playing like the Sachin of old and is at his best. Virender Sehwag was carried along by Sachin till he finally found form and is now looking his dangerous self.
Sourav Ganguly at 3 has looked like getting on with it despite his injury. Rahul Dravid has been the revelation in this series. The form and aggression displayed definitely warrants that he is played higher, at No.4.
The Indians have struggled to find any form or consistency with the ball and would have heaved a sigh of relief after the last effort.
That brings me to the point that India should go in with a fifth bowling option rather then the seventh batsman, who in these conditions will be irrelevant.
There is much more to be gained by the fifth bowler. It creates options for the captain and most importantly reduces pressure on the other bowlers. With the top four batsmen in form, this is an option that is crying out for recognition.
The conditions at the Eden Gardens, as usual, will be excellent from every perspective. It is a cricketers dream and an absolute privilege to play here. A lot of hard work would have gone in to the wicket and yet it will be expected to play slower than it may seem.
The season here hasn't started, as there has been an extended monsoon. The Kolkata clubs are struggling to practice. This is probably the only turf wicket, which is ready in the city.
This is what might suit the Indians as it may not suit the stroke-makers and if they can get a couple of wickets early, anything is possible. The bowlers would have learnt a few lessons having played the Aussies a number of times this year.
The trick is not to get flustered and stick to the basics in these conditions. Line and length and not striving for too much pace or swing. The spinners too, would benefit by bowling slower through the air.
The Australians are undoubtedly the favourites. We need to catch them on an ordinary day and have a good one ourselves.
The massive crowd backing this now buoyed Indian side could even things up a bit but eventually it is going to be a battle of nerves and so far the Aussies have had the measure of the Indians.
