The Hindu : Sport : All set for first ODI

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Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007
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All set for first ODI

Principal Correspondent

Bangalore: High-voltage action returns to the Chinnaswamy Stadium after almost two years. The second Afro-Asia Cup inaugural ODI here on Wednesday will be the first official match in Bangalore after November 2005 when Dravid's men defeated Graeme Smith's South Africans.

On the eve of the match, the rival camps struck different notes. Asia XI skipper Mahela Jayawardene pointed to the riches in his squad, and said he would rather leave the selection issues to coach Roger Binny.

"We have a very good team and it is all about having the pride to perform and win the match," Jayawardene said.

His team is rich with the experience of Sanath Jayasuriya and Sourav Ganguly besides the flair of M.S. Dhoni, Mohammad Yousuf and Yuvraj Singh.

In the bowling department, he has Dilharo Fernando, Mohammad Asif, Zaheer Khan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Harbhajan Singh. The latter will be keen to prove that he still belongs to this stage after being dropped from India's recent tour of Bangladesh.

Kemp to lead

The leadership issue has dogged the Africa XI squad ever since its inception. Graeme Smith pulled out, while interim skipper Mark Boucher is indisposed and is a doubtful starter.

Steve Tikolo who was mentioned as the skipper in the KSCA team list will not be leading as the captaincy has been handed over to Justin Kemp.

Coach Mickey Arthur and Kemp promised a keen contest in the pre-match press briefing though the absence of Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis and Makhaya Ntini does leave a big void. Shaun Pollock's inability to bowl following a minor foot surgery is another big blow to the African squad.

The three-match series will conclude with the last two ODIs in Chennai on June 9 and 10.

The teams:

Asia: Mahela Jayawardene (Capt.), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Dilhara Fernando (all Sri Lanka), Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan (all India), Mohammad Yousuf, Mohammad Asif (both Pakistan), Mashrafe Mortaze and Mohammad Rafique (both Bangladesh).

Africa: Justin Kemp (Capt.), Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock, Morn'e Morkel, Albie Morkel, Loots Bosman, Boeta Dippenaar (all South Africa), Steve Tikolo, Thomas Odoyo, Peter Ongondo, (all Kenya), Elton Chigumbura and Vusi Sibanda (both Zimbabwe).

Umpires: Peter Parker (Aus) and Tony Hill (NZ); Match Referee: Chris Broad (Eng).

Hours of play: 2.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.; 6.45 p.m. to close.

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