The Indian cricket team has an opportunity to create history by winning the Napier Test. This will ensure that they become the first Indian cricket team to win a series in
Though their form is awesome, the Napier pitch if it plays true to its nature could well stymie them. A typical Napier pitch is full of runs and despite the Indian bowlers showing in the second innings of the first test, the
There are also rumors doing the rounds of a slate or a fungi attack on the pitch necessitating the shift to a different one. Though the grounds man has rubbished this talk, a feeling persists that this fungi talk could be an excuse to move the pitch to a one that seams.
The thinking being the New Zealanders can stifle the Indian batsmen on a seaming pitch. However, for the present, the state of the pitch remains a speculation.
Apart from breaking a 40-year jinx, the Indian team by winning the Napier test could well become No.2 in ICC ranking with 118 points.
So there is definitely much at stake on Thursday.
The teams (from):
India: M.S. Dhoni (Capt. & wk), Virender Sehwag (vice-capt.), Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel, Amit Mishra, Lakshmipathy Balaji, M. Vijay, Dhawal Kulkarni and Dinesh Karthik.
Umpires: Billy Doctrove and Ian Gould.
Third umpire: Evan Watkin.
Match referee: Alan Hurst.
Hours of play (IST): 3.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m., 6.10 a.m. to 8.10 a.m., and 8.30 a.m. to close.
8 comments:
Lets see how it pans out
Let us hope it is a close match.
INDIA LOST THE GRIP ON THE MATCH WITH SOME DROPPED CATCHES. TAYLOR BENEFITTED BY IT. THE STILL HAVE RYDER AND MCCALLUM TO CONTEND WITH.ZEALAND MAY GO FOR A WIN IF POSSIBLE. LETS SEE HOW FAR THEY GO AND WE RESPOND .
lviss,
The Indian batting will be under pressure. If Sehwag leaves early, then we are in for a sticky time.
Looks like Ryder and MCcullum put the fungus on the Indian team's pants.
They are going down unless they can bat out of their hats to save this one.
You are right the Indian have to bat well but at 79/3 is a precarious situation indeed.
We are in the familiar situation of playing for a draw.
lviss,
The Wall appears to be in his element.
Post a Comment