Run fest on the cards as Colts lock horns in one-dayers
When touring sides come to India they certainly get the red carpet rolled out for them in every hotel and club they go to
Anand Vasu
22-Jul-2009
When touring sides come to India they certainly get the red carpet
rolled out for them in every hotel and club they go to. No luxury is
considered a waste. While this might be the case off the field, the
kind of pitches rolled out make even the most expansive luxury seem
tiresome. After a slow turner at Mumbai saw India go 1-0 up in the
three 'Test' series, the wickets served up in subsequent games have
been anything but sporting. The 22 yards of road that the second and
third 'Tests' were played on saw batsmen make merry at the experience
of some very weary bowlers. With the first of three One-Dayers being
played in Hyderabad on Friday, the England side can expect more of the
same.
Tim Boon, coach of the England team is fully aware of the gravity of
the situation, "If the Indian batsmen get going, we could be looking
at scores of 350 plus," he said with a guarded smile. While conceding
that, Boon is still optimistic, "Even if the Indian batsmen do get
going, we have the resources to chase big totals," he added. Talking
about the contrast in the ways the two teams approached batting, the
former Leicestershire opening batsman conceded, "While the Indian
batsmen tend to go after the bowling, they always give us a chance."
This line of thought was certainly upheld by the Indian batsmen
through the Test series where numerous catches were given - and
spilled in the series.
"I think about 20 catches were put down between both teams in the
last 'Test'. The fielding certainly has not been up to the standards
expected at this level," Boon said. In the same breath, he hoped that
the One-Dayers would see a much more disciplined display.
The England side have little to lose going into the limited over
games. After putting up a good fight in the third 'Test', at least a
few players would have gained confidence. None more so than the Essex
left-arm mediumpacer Justin Bishop. Bowling with character on a wicket
that was flat enough to break any fast bowler's heart, Bishop picked
up the first five wicket haul by any Englishman on this tour. The
other crucial wheel in the English One-Day cricket machine is Nicky
Peng. After carting the ball all over the park in Chennai where he
made a hundred, Peng helped himself to a breezy 72 in the third
'Test.' The Durham top order bat will have to come out with all guns
blazing if England are to take the attack to the rampaging Indians.
In his turn, Indian coach Roger Binny is confident. "We have some
really talented cricketers. The openers have been in fine nick through
the 'Tests.' Both Vinayak Mane and Gautam Gambhir have made big
scores and that should give them a lot of confidence," the former
Indian allrounder said.
The Indian side for the One-Dayers is unlikely to be very different
from the team that played the longer duration games. The inclusion of
middle order bat Arjun Yadav, wicketkeeper batsman Amit Deshpande and
Manvinder Bisla gives the Indian think-tank a few extra options. It is
possible that Yadav will find a place in the middle order which has
been brittle at times.
The three match One-Day series is likely to be a spectator's dream.
Coming from England where most Under-19 games don't see any manner of
crowd at all, several English players have been inquiring keenly about
the numbers expected at the One-Dayers. While one can't put even an
approximate number on that, one thing is certain. The bat will come
down hard on the ball on flat pitches and race across quick outfields.
If you're the kind of person who enjoys watching boundaries scored at
will, make your way to Hyderabad for the first One-Dayer.