The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Don't tinker with the teams

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 14, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Don't tinker with the teams

By Ian Healy

There should be no changes to either side for the second Test in Chennai. Under-performed players must be given a chance at redemption and neither team needs to start with new players. Form may have eluded the classic Indian batsmen but we all know how easily that changes with some good old-fashioned intensity and attitude.

Back-to-back Tests are physiologically unsafe, especially for bowlers, but are a thing of the future because touring teams wish to shorten tours so dramatically.

This time the bowlers of both teams know that there is a seven-day break before Nagpur, so continued effort should sustain.

I'm hopeful of greater impact and bowling time for the Indian quicks and the team's part-time options. Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly, if fit enough, should be rotated cleverly. Not just to ease the burden on Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, but for good effect.

Stereotype

Coupled with their reasonable ability they need to be aggressive in their thinking for short bursts. Ganguly was quite stereotype in his roster last week and only he will know why. Sometimes it can be a sign of being pre-occupied, worrying about others or maybe the brisk first day by Australia was too much for him.

Adam Gilchrist, on the other hand, was full of beans and directions. He was not afraid to play ugly defensive cricket at times but quickly pounced when the jugular was exposed as well. His cast was exceptional in performing for him though and the toss was his biggest masterstroke.

Many unknowns for this Test go back into the melting pot. What would a contest between these two be without excessive speculation and debate?

Will (Shane) Warney and Kumble discover some bounce, so their accuracy can be truly rewarded?

Possible batting line-up changes for India, tactical changes to look out for as bowlers possibly admit they were wrong in the first instance.

New plans, new body language and positive thoughts for a new day as players convince themselves that they can do it. One week of massive effort and a break can be had. It is all worth the strain to go 2-0 up or to claw back to 1-1 for India, surely. Ruffling some feathers

I have never heard Australians dob in an opposition sledger before and certainly don't approve, but it is a sign that Harbhajan is in it for real.

He might not enjoy the end results but he is willing to put himself on the line in the hope of ruffling some feathers.

It did not pay off for him but only because he lacked colleagues willing to do the same. No team will beat Australia nicely, it will have to be tough and uncompromising as the champs will fight back from anywhere, so get used to it.

Skill needs to be produced while the needle is on and only Harbhajan was up to it.

The whole of Australia is once again riveted to this series through television, radio, internet and newspapers.

I am sure the players have another topsy-turvy affair for us starting from Thursday that will stun us all.

I would rather be in Australia's shoes right now, India must get out of its shoe cupboards and play from the kitchen with plenty of heat. Can't wait. — PTI

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