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Friday, Dec 01, 2006
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Tamil Nadu hopes to bounce back

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu takes on Andhra in a second round Ranji Super League tie that begins at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday. This could turn into a contest between Andhra's in-form bowling attack and Tamil Nadu's batting might. Syed Sahabuddin and D. Kalyankrishna, Andhra's opening bowlers who took nine second innings wickets between them in the win over Haryana last week, will look to exploit the bounce on the traditionally quick Chepauk wicket.

Meanwhile Tamil Nadu will look to capitalise on its home advantage, and bounce back after conceding first innings-lead points to Delhi. Opener M. Vijay, who grafted his way to a fifty on debut last week, could, in time, fit nicely alongside the flashy S. Vidyut.

Subramaniam Badrinath, the side's batting bulwark, is coming fresh off a century in the season opener, and must count himself unlucky to have missed out on a Test spot for the South Africa series. It's all very well to say that a player should build his case at the domestic level until he can no longer be ignored, but obviously the idea is to pick a player when his confidence is peaking.

"I'm certainly disappointed for Badrinath," said Tamil Nadu coach W.V. Raman. "V. Yomahesh has a bit more to do, but Badrinath has performed over the past couple of seasons. He's still 26, though, and there is a lot of cricket to be played. Hopefully he'll make it."

L. Balaji's return to the side has been postponed. Raman wants the fast-medium pacer to adjust his backfoot landing, so that the stress on his body — and the chance of injury — is minimised. In his absence Yomahesh will largely shoulder the responsibility of picking wickets.

On paper, Tamil Nadu is the stronger side, but it will have to prove itself on the field. "Andhra has made a good start to the season, and we can't take them lightly," Raman said.

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