Tendulkar, McGrath clash to watch (4 June 1999)

4 June 1999

Tendulkar, McGrath clash to watch

Sa'adi Thawfeeq

LONDON, Thursday - India and Australia meet in the first match of the World Cup Super Sixes at the Oval here tomorrow knowing that defeat for either team will almost put them out of contention for a place in the semi-finals.

Both teams start the second round of the competition at the bottom of the Super Sixes table having come through without carrying any points from the first round, which in other words means playing two and losing two. Therefore, it is imperative for them to win all their three matches in this round to have a chance of qualifying for the last four.

India's chances lie with their batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar. If India want to go into this crucial match maintaining a psychological edge then Tendulkar must return to the top order. He has previously crushed Australia as an opener and it also guarantees this destructive batsman a hit. It also sets up a head-on clash with Glenn McGrath, Australia's most potent strike weapon. For much of this tournament, Tendulkar has been batting at No. 4 and coach Anshuman Gaekwad said: "Sachin will certainly open if the wicket looks good".

Tendulkar has scored centuries in each of his past three one-day innings against Australia as well as scores of 177 and 155 not out in a Test series last year.

"He had Australia for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We hope he can do it again," said Gaekwad.

Despite trying to manipulate the results in the first round, Australia suggested they were uncertain about their ability to win every match. Steve Waugh, the captain instructed his batsmen to score slowly in their final group match against the West Indies in order not to injure their opponents' net run rate and in the process, lessen New Zealand's chances qualifying for the Super Six. That ploy had it worked out Australia's way would have given them two points going into the next round.

In the final shake up New Zealand got through despite the manipulations tried by the Australians who now are at odds, having to start with no points and a negative net run rate. It adds up to a tall order for Australia in the Super Six.

Although they feel that after a slow start they should now be considered one of the favourites, Australia will have to start playing like champions immediately. The format now demands that they play aggressively and if Steve Waugh adapts, the side will benefit from the change in attitude. Australia also need to strengthen the bowling and the inclusion of Paul Reiffel to use the old ball would give them four specialists, which is the minimum requirement for success.

There is likely to be warmer weather and better pitches for the second stage of the competition where all the matches are scheduled to played Test match venues.

AUSTRALIA (from): Steve Waugh (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Bendon Julian, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath, Paul Reiffel.

INDIA (from): Mohammad Azharuddin (captain), Sourav Ganguly, Sadagopan Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad, Debashish Mohanty, Robin Singh.

UMPIRES: Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Peter Willey (England), TV umpire: Ian Robinson (Zimbabwe), Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).

Source :: The Daily News