PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIUM

TOUGH TO READ: Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath may be wondering how the pitch is going to behave.

The victory over India in the last league game was a hard-earned one, and Rahul Dravid would be very disappointed that his accomplished batting line-up was unable to overhaul a modest target of 214 runs. That said, it has proved to be a hard wicket to bat on, especially to start one's innings on. This is why we knew that one breakthrough could lead to a collapse, and India's innings had two collapses, one at the start and one towards the end.

For us, we were quite intent on using this tri-series for trying out all our players. It is satisfying to note that almost all the players who have been tried out over this last fortnight have seemed in fine touch. It has been an ideal preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, and a victory over the West Indies in the final would really boost us before we go to India.

India's batting has not been in the best of form, and once Sachin Tendulkar did not fire, it was always going to be heavy going. The Little Master was caught in quite an interesting and unprecedented incident right at the start of the Indian innings, when the umpire first declared him out and then called him back. Did the incident make him lose his rhythm? I do not know, but he did not look his usual self once he came back, and was out just five balls later. I have never seen an umpire call a player back like that, but it was within the rules of the game and was eventually the right decision.

Twin blows

Brett bowled beautifully on Friday, and the twin blows of losing both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag cheaply was fatal to India's chances. Brett looks fit and in great form. He needs a few more overs behind him to reach peak form, but he is already working up good pace.

I got to see a bit of Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni during India's chase and there is no doubt that there is some potential there. Raina looks extremely compact and confident, and seems to have strokes on either side of the wicket. He looked composed and was a little unlucky since a superb wrong one from Hogg undid him. Dhoni on the other hand is flamboyant and seems to relish the big shots. We had a few plans for him, but I don't think they worked since he was playing a more sedate knock.

Both these guys have made waves in their first year in international cricket, particularly Dhoni. However, they will find the second year a lot more challenging because they are no more unheralded, unknown quantities. Opponents would have worked out their strengths and weaknesses and would be better prepared for them. Expectations from outside and from the player himself make matters even tougher, which is why the second season at the top level is in many ways more challenging than the first.

Below-par form

The Indians will be disappointed at going home empty-handed from Kuala Lumpur. The below-par form of Sehwag, Yuvraj and Dravid himself must be a real downer for fans as well. However, the bowling has been pretty impressive, and I would like to see more of Munaf Patel, who bowled really well in all the games. He has accuracy and guile, which makes him an interesting prospect for his team. He was eager to spend some time with me, but that was not possible. Hopefully we will be able to meet up during the Champions Trophy.

Sunday's game will essentially be a contest between our opening bowlers and their top two batsmen Gayle and Lara. If we can get them out cheaply, panic generally sets in within the rest of the team. Many of our batsmen are also due for a big one, and since the likes of Ponting have an excellent record in finals, I will not be surprised to see them fire.

(Gameplan)

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail