The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Historic match for Indian eves

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 11, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Historic match for Indian eves

By Our Sports Reporter

MYSORE, DEC. 10. The Indian womens' cricket team will chase history and higher honours as it gears up for its 100th one day international, to be held at the Infosys Technologies Ground at Hootagalli here on Saturday.

Mamta Maben' women are up against Australia, acknowledged as the best team in the world. The historic moment hopefully will inspire India to go beyond its regular pattern of losses against the Aussies.

India has won just one in the 14 matches played against Australia and captain Mamta Maben conceded, "it is obvious who the underdog is but we are confident and if we play to our potential we should do well."

The Aussies, led by Belinda Clark, are confident despite the odd fear about India's spin factor.

"Our records say that we are the favourites but India has some good spinners but we have practised hard. We have experienced players and a few promising young women" said Belinda, who will also play her 100th ODI.

The teams:

India: Mamta Maben (captain), Mithali Raj (vice-captain), Anju Jain (wicket-keeper), Anjum Chopra, Jaya Sharma, Hemalata Kala, Jhulan Goswami, Amita Sharma, Arundhita Kirkire, Varsha Reissel, Deepa Kulkarni, Neetu David, Nooshine-Al-Khader and Monica. Coach: Sudha Shah. Manager: Trupti Bhattacharya. Administrative manager: Veena Paralkar.

Australia: Belinda Clark (captain), Karen Rolton (vice-captain), Alex Blackwell, Kate Blackwell, Leonie Coleman, Shelley Nitschke, Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Julie Hayes, Melanie Jones, Lisa Keightley, Clea Smith, Lisa Sthalekar and Emma Twining. Coach: Stephen Jenkin. Assistant coach: Barry Neivandt. Manager: Claire Connoly. Physios: Lisa Ross and Sally Bailey.

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