The Hindu : Sport : Rain follows Future Cup to Kochi

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Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007
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Sport

Rain follows Future Cup to Kochi

S. Dinakar

Delayed start likely; win toss and field may be the strategy

— Photo: AP

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: It will be an uphill task for the groundsmen to get the ground in condition for play to start on time in the second ODI at Kochi on Tuesday.

Kochi: It’s raining in Kochi. And doubt looms over the second Future Cup ODI to be played here on Tuesday.

On the brighter side, there was a period of sunshine in the afternoon after the rather heavy overnight downpour. But then, more showers have been forecast for Tuesday.

If the rain abates and the sun makes an appearance, we might have a delayed start to the second India-Australia game. The outfield at the Nehru Stadium has taken a pounding and a 9 a.m. start is unlikely.

The worst case scenario is a washed out game, which will effectively make the series a five-match affair. Despite Michael Clarke’s heroics, the Bangalore ODI failed to produce a result with rain ruining an intriguing contest.

Practice affected

Their practice sessions affected, the teams discovered varying ways of keeping fit. The Indians worked out in the gym, while the Aussies indulged in a game of water polo.

Stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist said the Aussies will take a call on skipper Ricky Ponting’s hamstring strain on the morning of the match. For the Indians, Rohit Sharma should take the injured Sourav Ganguly’s place. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is recovering from a strained neck and the think-tank might keep on hold the move to induct a second spinner.

Given the prospect of moisture on the surface because of the conditions here, the team winning the toss is likely to field. There could be some early assistance for the pacemen.

Slow outfield

Because of the rain, the outfield is likely to be slow and running between the wickets is bound to be the key. The Aussies have an advantage here. The way Michael Clarke ran, first with Brad Haddin, and then with James Hopes, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was breathtaking.

The distance between the crease on either side is 19 yards. This is further reduced with the rules saying that the non-striker can take off immediately after the bowler’s back-foot lands. Now the batsmen run less the risk of being ‘Mankaded.’

Add to all this the advantage gained by extending the bat and the body and the area between the wickets can be covered very quickly. Clarke and Haddin, extremely fit, were not only swift, but comprehended the nuances of running between the wickets.

Calculated risks

Calculated risks were also taken. The chemistry between the striker and the non-striker was good. There was no ‘yes, no, yes’ syndrome.

Clarke and Haddin also illustrated the other vital aspect of running between the wickets — being quick on the turn. This is a much-ignored area, but one which the Australians have perfected.

If the batsmen are fast on the turn, singles can be converted into twos, and twos into threes.

Running between wickets is the heart of the Fifty50 duels.

Rotating the strike, and keeping the momentum going and biding your time for the big hits is the name of the game here.

It’s different in Twenty20 where the emphasis is on boundary hits. One of the reasons why India excelled in the Twenty20 World Cup was that it had some exceptional boundary hitters who could also clear the ropes.

The weakest aspect of Indian cricket — running between wickets — remained hidden in this format of the game.

The Indians will also have to lift their fielding. This is easier said than done on bigger grounds where a larger area has to be covered and the throws have to be longer.

The teams (from): India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), G. Gambhir, S. Tendulkar, R. Sharma, R. Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, I. Pathan, R. Powar, Zaheer Khan, R.P. Singh, S. Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh R. Uthappa, D. Karthik.

Australia: R. Ponting (captain, if he passes fitness test), A. Gilchrist, M. Hayden, B. Hodge, M. Clarke, A. Symonds, B. Haddin, J. Hopes, B. Hogg, B. Lee, S. Clark, M. Johnson, B. Hilfenhaus, A. Voges.

Umpires: Steve Bucknor and Suresh Shastri. Third umpire: Pratap Kumar; Match Referee: Chris Broad. Play begins at 9 a.m.