ODI Tri Series - Australia/India/New Zealand

[Donny]

Ganguly to miss start of one-day series
From correspondents in New Delhi
October 20, 2003

INDIAN captain Sourav Ganguly will miss the start of the one-day tri-series against Australia and New Zealand this week due to an infection in the groin area, it was announced on today.

Ganguly has been ruled out of the series opener against New Zealand at Madras on Thursday and the second match against Australia at Gwalior on Sunday, Indian cricket board secretary Karunakaran Nair said.

"Sourav will not be playing the first two matches and will be replaced by Tamil Nadu left-hander Hemang Badani," Nair said.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid, who led India in the second Test, will captain the team in the tri-series in Ganguly's absence, Nair added.

A team source told AFP that Ganguly was also doubtful for the third match of the series against Australia at Bombay on November 1.

"It's 50-50 for the Bombay game," the source said. "We are monitoring his recovery closely."

Ganguly, 31, was forced to skip the second and final Test against New Zealand in Mohali which ended on Monday after undergoing minor surgery on the eve of the match to remove a boil on his left thigh.

But further surgery last week in his home city of Calcutta, after the injury did not heal, left the Indian captain facing the prospect of being bed-ridden for two weeks.

"The wound appears to be improving satisfactorily, but it needs at least another two weeks of regular dressing," said a medical bulletin from the Calcutta hospital where Ganguly was treated.

The tri-series, in which each team plays the other three times before the November 18 final in Calcutta, will feature the first clash between India and Australia since their World Cup final in Johannesburg in March.

Australia will be without five frontline bowlers for the series. Pacemen Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee, and spinner Stuart MacGill, are out with injuries.

Prolific leg-spinner Shane Warne is serving a year-long ban after testing positive for a banned diuretic before the World Cup.

[Donny]

Rain threatens TVS Cup opener

Dileep Premachandran

When the boys came out to play, the rain clouds ran away ... but that looks merely temporary. The weather - usually unbearably hot and muggy - has been the main topic of conversation in Chennai, with rains lashing the city at regular intervals over the past few days.

It was pelting down this morning, but by the time the teams came out for practice mid-afternoon, the skies had cleared and the sun was beating down with its customary vigour. Both India and New Zealand chose to concentrate on fielding drills, though the likes of Chris Cairns and Sachin Tendulkar also spent time in the nets.

The outfield, covered completely with vivid blue plastic sheets, has escaped the worst of the downpours, so unless the skies open again tonight, it's all systems go for the first game of the TVS Cup. The pitch is expected to be no different from the usual Chepauk batting beauties, although overcast conditions may play into the hands of those who can swing and cut the ball at a gentle pace.

New Zealand emerged from the Test series with their self-belief vastly enhanced, although Stephen Fleming insisted that the one-day international format would pose a completely different challenge. The loss of Nathan Astle with a knee injury has been offset by the arrival of Chris Cairns, such a talismanic figure for New Zealand in recent seasons. Fleming indicated that Cairns would be a key figure with both bat and ball, despite having bowled quite gingerly during the World Cup.

Chris Harris, another experienced campaigner, is also likely to be a crucial part of New Zealand's plans. The last time he played here - in the 1996 World Cup - Harris spanked a magnificent 130 and bowled a tidy spell, even as New Zealand were beaten in the quarter-final game by Mark Waugh's brilliance. Harris's dibbly-dobblies could trouble the batsmen, especially if overhead conditions help him.

New Zealand will most likely leave out Paul Hitchcock and Chris Nevin, with Kyle Mills and Ian Butler - still battling to get back to full fitness - tussling for the final spot.

India's problems run deeper. Though Rahul Dravid pooh-poohed the idea that India had conceded the psychological advantage at Mohali, the bowlers' lack of penetration was a serious worry. Of the pace bowlers chosen, only Ajit Agarkar has prior experience of the conditions. His matchwinning spell (4 for 34) against England in 2001-02 should ensure that he shares the new ball with Zaheer Khan, who's overdue for a decent spell. In case the conditions suggest help for the pace attack, Harbhajan Singh or Anil Kumble will make way for Aavishkar Salvi.

There has been much talk of how India have missed Sourav Ganguly's aggressive leadership. When it comes to ODIs, that's a double-whammy, because Ganguly the batsman has been India's most dependable performer in recent seasons, just as valuable as Tendulkar.

VVS Laxman, the in-form batsman, should get a call-up, with Hemang Badani pushing Mohammad Kaif for the final batting place. One man certain to play is Parthiv Patel. Though Dravid refused to say whether his wicketkeeping days are finally over, he confirmed that Patel would be playing. The team management is in no hurry to pick an XI, with the atmospheric conditions likely to have the final say.

Rain or shine, neither team will want to leave Chennai defeated, not when Australia are at the apex of the triangle. Ricky Ponting has already pinpointed Tendulkar as the danger man. He has a wonderful Test record at Chepauk, but an ordinary ODI one. What price that changing tomorrow, especially after the steady barrage of criticism in recent days?

Teams

India (from): Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Hemang Badani, VVS Laxman, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh, Parthiv Patel (wk), Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, Aavishkar Salvi.

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (capt), Chris Cairns, Lou Vincent, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Paul Hitchcock, Brendon McCullum (wk), Kyle Mills, Chris Nevin, Jacob Oram, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.

[Donny]

'Challenge' for depleted Aussies
October 23, 2003 - Fox

AUSTRALIA's one-day cricketers arrived here today as world champions, but captain Ricky Ponting says the impact of injury means his side will be underdogs in the triangular series with New Zealand and India.

The injuries to have hit Australia's frontline bowlers in the past three weeks means much will depend on the new-look pace attack of Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz and Nathan Bracken, particularly on the perfect batting strips and bone-dry outfields for which India is famous.

While Australia were able to overcome the injuries in the Test series with Zimbabwe, the setbacks will be an enormous test for Ponting's side, who play their first game, against India, on Sunday in Gwalior.

"It's going to be difficult for us to win here, we know that," Ponting said soon after arriving.

"But there's a challenge for everybody in the team to really show what we are made of, I suppose, and show that we are better than just a couple of players out of the side."

Ponting said Australia will again draw on their depth of talent for this tournament, just as they did in the World Cup earlier this year when Shane Warne went home after a positive drugs test and Jason Gillespie followed soon after through injury.

"We lost one player (Warne) before the World Cup and one (Gillespie) two games into the World Cup and still managed to go through that tournament undefeated," Ponting said.

"So there's a great challenge there for us, we know what it takes to win here and we're looking forward to our first game."

Ponting is yet to discuss tactics with his bowling attack, but will get a chance later today when the squad goes through a light training session.

Despite the Australians' popularity in India their arrival was a relatively low-key event, with only a couple of hundred fans making their way out to the airport.

It was a far cry from the Test tour of 2001, when up to 2000 were at the airport to catch a glimpse of the team.

[Donny]

Rain has the final word

The Wisden Bulletin by Samanth Subramanian


Although the morning of the TVS Cup opener was bright and sunny, rain was never likely to keep off for too long during Chennai's second monsoon. So even though India's batsmen started almost as if they were playing with rain-rules in mind, rain stopped play after 26.5 overs, giving India and New Zealand three points apiece from the abandoned game.

In fact, considering the conditions over the last few days, it was to the groundstaff's credit that the wicket was not only undamaged but looked full of runs. So did India's batting. As if emphatically relieved to be back into one-day mode after 10 grinding days of Test cricket, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar pulled out the hammer and tongs from their toolkits as soon as play kicked off.

The openers added 53 in the first nine overs, even though Tendulkar was clearly showing signs of lack of form, shuffling too much across his stumps and getting a few leading edges on a track that looked a touch two-paced. But there were strokes that bore his stamp of authority - a checked drive through covers off Daryl Tuffey that raced across a slow outfield, a trademark straight-drive, and a ferocious pull to square leg from almost a foot outside the off stump.

Sehwag was dropped early, when he cut Jacob Oram to third man and was put down by Chris Cairns attempting a one-handed catch. Sehwag repeated the stroke off Tuffey to get six a few overs later. He hit five fours in addition, but after pulling Cairns for four in his first over, he fell. To a ball that did not rise as much as expected, Sehwag stuck to the crease and merely hung his bat at the ball, which took the inside edge and nipped in to rattle timber (53 for 1).

But maybe the batsmen were looking for too emphatic a switch from defensive vein, for after Sehwag's dismissal, both VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid fell trying to unnecessarily force the pace. Laxman, in supreme touch, came out and displayed every inch of it. He drove through cover, whipped balls regularly from middle stump to midwicket, those elastic wrists glaringly evident. Paul Hitchcock was taken for three boundaries in a single over, and in little time, Laxman had almost caught up with Tendulkar without playing a single stroke that reeked aggression.

His first truly ambitious shot, unfortunately, brought about his dismissal. Scott Styris presented a long hop, which Laxman pounced on greedily, but he could not keep it down. Kyle Mills, the substitute fielder just in front of square on the leg side, only had to run a few yards to his left to take the catch (88 for 2). Even Styris, who grinned almost apologetically at Laxman, knew the wicket was a gift.

Dravid, who tried uncharacteristically to pull the first ball he faced, fell soon after. Daniel Vettori was brought on as soon as the 15-over field restrictions were lifted, and when Dravid tried to whip his fifth ball away through the onside, Styris at short midwicket took a good low catch (93 for 3).

India then got back on the road to recovery, with Yuvraj Singh concentrating on punishing only the short or full deliveries and letting the rest go past. Tendulkar focussed more on playing straight, but he was clearly having problems with the rapidly fading light - and said as much to the umpires - when play was stopped for the first time.

The floodlights took 15 minutes to warm up and pierce through the falling twilight, but even as another three overs played themselves out after the interruption, heavy clouds scudded over and positioned themselves above the stadium. Soon enough the heavens let rip, and although the rain occasionally abated, it continued steadily, so play was called off at 7.30pm local time. Perhaps even getting in 26.5 overs was a stroke of luck - and they were 26.5 overs brimming with excitement - but they did indicate that this tournament will feature only top-drawer cricket.

[Donny]

Ponting bowled by critics
By Andrew Ramsey
October 25, 2003

TWO days into Australia's month-long tour of India, captain Ricky Ponting is already under siege.

Not from the crush of cricket-crazy locals, nor from the heat that Ponting admits will test his team's willingness to adhere to its newly-penned code of niceness. Instead, he is furiously fending off attacks about his attack.

Since well before his injury-riddled 14-man squad boarded their flight to Delhi on Wednesday, Ponting has been peppered with questions about the bowlers - or the lack thereof - at his disposal for the one-day tournament against India and New Zealand.

Injury and suspension have ensured Australia's five most successful bowlers of the past five years - Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill - are at home.

Even Ponting's preferred part-timer Darren Lehmann is sidelined, which means Australia will tackle some of the game's most destructive batsmen on the world's flattest pitches with bowlers best described as second-string.

Although the role of replacement pacemen Brad Williams, Nathan Bracken and Michael Kasprowicz has dominated debate in the lead-up to Australia's opening match tomorrow against India in Gwalior, the absence of an acknowledged front-line spinner could prove more decisive.

Without Warne and MacGill, Australia's slow-bowling hopes will be spearheaded by Brad Hogg with support from occasional tweakers Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke.

Ponting believes India are intimidated by the Australians, who have won 12 of the past 15 one-day encounters between the nations.

It's difficult to imagine the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Vangipurappu Laxman being gripped by fear when the ball is tossed to Hogg, who averages 83.50 runs per wicket against India in limited-overs matches.

Coach John Buchanan disagrees with critics who cite Hogg's disappointing return in the recent second Test against Zimbabwe (three wickets at 40) as evidence he may struggle in the No.1 spinner role in India.

"I think what he did there in Sydney was play a vital role in the game," Buchanan said. "He was a partnership bowler and not necessarily a strike bowler. I thought he bowled very well because he bowled for extended periods of time."

Ponting has foreshadowed a high-rotation policy in Australia's six preliminary matches, during which he will employ his bowlers in short spells to lessen the risk of opposition batsmen "getting hold of them".

"We're going to have to try a few different things and see what works," Ponting said. "Sometimes on these wickets, it can be that the faster you bowl, the easier it is to score."

[Donny]

A whole new ballgame

Wisden Cricinfo staff

In the context of the last time these two teams met, it is bound to be an anti-climax. India and Australia last clashed in the final of the 2003 World Cup, but the one-day international at Gwalior will be an entirely different ballgame. Both sides are racked by injuries but Australia are distinctly worse off, and their bowling attack has an A-Team look about it. India, meanwhile, are at home, and will fancy their chances somewhat more than they might have done at Johannesburg in March. Australia are ripe for the taking, and with a tough tour to Australia in prospect, India need to build up their self-belief for the task ahead.

Sourav Ganguly might be absent, but the Indian batting line-up is formidable – especially in home conditions. Sachin Tendulkar appeared determined, in his last game, to bat through the innings, and that is an ominous sign for Australia. Virender Sehwag, and VVS Laxman were also in fine nick, carrying on from where they left off in the Test series against New Zealand. Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif are all fine finishers, and Ajit Agarkar has never been a Bombay Duck in home ODIs.

Australia's batting is as solid as ever – the absence of the indisposed Darren Lehman gives Michael Clarke a notional opportunity, but does that really matter when your top six reads Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Martyn, Bevan, Symonds? Ian Harvey, Andy Bichel and Brad Hogg can also bat a bit, and if the pitch turns out to be a batting paradise, there should be some fairly mighty biffing on view.

Australia's bowling will be the weak link that India will look to exploit. The McGrath-Gillespie-Lee-Warne quartet is absent, and even Stuart MacGill isn't available. Bichel, Hogg, Michael Kasprowicz, Brad Williams and Nathan Bracken make up an attack that lacks both experience and match practice, and if India's top order get off to a good start, there could be a heavy price to pay.

Ricky Ponting wasn't worried about his missing men, though. Speaking to reporters, he said, "We see the entire thing as a team effort. We don't win because of our bowlers or batsmen. We win because of our team effort. Even during the World Cup we didn't have a couple of key players. But we have always found someone to do the job."

[Donny]

Ricky punts on spin
By Jon Pierik in Gwalior, India
October 26, 2003

RICKY Ponting says he has the utmost faith that his part-time spinning brigade will live up to expectations during this Indian visit, as the world champions look to kick-start their one-day campaign with victory today.

The Aussies have only Brad Hogg as a specialist spinner on tour, meaning the tame off-spin of Andy Symonds and the left arms of Michael Clarke and Michael Bevan will be called on to help exploit what are likely to be slow and turning wickets.

Darren Lehmann has been a valuable spinning foil in recent years, his ability to take wickets and slow the runs by taking the pace off the ball being a valuable ingredient in Australia's romp to World Cup supremacy.

But with the South Australian skipper nursing an injured achilles at home, Ponting will need to look elsewhere for support, starting today against the host nation in the small city of Gwalior.

"Lehmann has been the one I have been able to rely on the last couple of years to bowl some good overs in one-day international cricket," Ponting said.

"That role is probably going to go to a Symmo or Clarke or someone like that. They will do a good job."

And Bevan can expect a return to the bowling crease after working on his tweakers over winter.

Picked as a back-up Test spinner in the mid-1990s, Bevan has been unable to bowl because of a persistent shoulder problem and an unwillingness to ply his trade.

He last appeared at the bowling crease for Australia in a VB Series game against South Africa in Perth in 2001-02.

But at the team's pre-season camp in Perth, Bevan, with a 10-wicket haul to his credit in Test cricket, was told it would be in his best interest to start rolling his arm over again.

The exploits of Simon Katich in last week's second Test against Zimbabwe have showed how valuable a left-arm wrist spinner is.

"He (Bevan) actually worked pretty hard in the off-season on doing a bit of bowling," Ponting said.

"Who knows? Maybe Test cricket is not out of his reach again because of his bowling abilities."

Ponting also feels the searing sun and heat of India will not only test Australia's depleted bowling attack, but will show just how committed it is to maintaining its new behavioural pact.

The 25 contracted Cricket Australia players signed off on the Spirit of Cricket bond before the Test series against Zimbabwe as a way of trying to stop a repeat of the ugly on-field incidents that have tainted the Aussies' reputation through the years.

"It's a huge discipline thing," Ponting said of the Indian conditions.

"It's not just with the way we behave, it's the way we perform and how we bounce back from bowling a good ball and having it hit for four.

"You've just got to bite your tongue, get back to your mark and do it all over again and give yourself the best chance to bowl a dot ball."

Of more immediate concern is Ponting's limited experience of captaining bowlers Michael Kasprowicz, Nathan Bracken and Brad Williams, admitting it will take some time before he settles on the best attack to use in this tournament.

Kasprowicz is a good chance to be named given his form and experience of playing in India, and should partner Bulls teammate Andy Bichel with the opening ball.

In an ominous sign for Australia, Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 48 and returning to form after a lean Test campaign against New Zealand when Thursday's opening one-day game between India and the Black Caps was ruined by rain.

Likely teams - Australia: A Gilchrist, M Hayden, R Ponting (capt), D Martyn, A Symonds, M Bevan, I Harvey, A Bichel, B Hogg, N Bracken, M Kasprowicz.

India: V Sehwag, S Tendulkar, V Laxman, R Dravid, Y Singh, M Kaif, A Kumble, P Patel, H Singh, A Agarkar, Z Khan.

[Donny]

Progress points - 29th. October:

India - 1 win 1 draw - 8 points

Australia - 1 win 1 loss - 7 points

New Zealand - 1 loss 1 draw - 3 points

[Donny]

Doctors clear Ganguly for November 12 match

Wisden Cricinfo staff

Doctors have declared that Sourav Ganguly will be available for the TVS Cup match against Australia on November 12. "We are very happy with his progress. He has recovered fast. From our side, we have no problem if he plays the November 12 match at Bangalore," said Dr Sukumar Mukherjee, head of the six-member medical board which is treating Ganguly.

Mukherjee stated that Ganguly now needed to be cleared by the Indian board. "Now the matter is in the court of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. As per the board's norms, I believe he has to undergo a fitness test. On being cleared, he can again play for the country."

Mukherjee also clarified that Ganguly now had no problem in stretching, and was walking without a limp. "Today, we made him walk before us. He is perfectly fine."

However, the rehabilitation programme, including physiotherapy, would go on for a few more days. The course of antibiotics would also continue. Mukherjee said all the five 'superficial stitches' on the wound had been removed and one of the two deep stitches would be cut on Monday.

Ganguly, who had to undergo mini-surgical procedures twice in five days for removing the abscess, missed the second Test against New Zealand at Mohali and all three ODIs that India have played so far in the TVS Cup.