Now its time for the Indian youngster to show to the world that why they have been picked in the team ahead of senior players. India will be looking to exploit the batting slump of some of Australia's key batsmen when they clash with the world champions in the first of the best-of-three cricket tri-series finals here on Sunday. Australian's batting is woeful in the current ongoing CB series apart from M.Clark no batsman is consistent. Andrew Symonds, R.Ponting is main worry for the Australians since both have been flopped miserably. Except one century to his name, Ricky Ponting not looks to threatened the opposition and while Symonds has notched up only one half century in eight matches. Mathew Hayden also not able to fire in the tournament except one fifty and one scored in 40's. So it's good time for the young Indian players to cash in on their rival's weak point and hope to put it across the home team. India never won the finals in the history of 30 years cricket here in Australia against the world champion Australia. India's three previous experiences -- in 1985-86, 1991-92 and 2003-04 -- had resulted in straight drubbings but Australia’s slipshod form this season promises a turn for the better for the Indians. M.S.Dhoni is likely to go with five bowlers and six batsmen theory in this match to restrict the Australian batters. It means Delhi dasher V.Sehwag has to be sat out in the dressing room and watch the match from there. His belief has only gained ground with the success of his bowlers. The latest recruit Praveen Kumar covered himself in glory in Hobart where he won the man-of-the-match award against Sri Lanka with a four-wicket burst. Indian batsmen are in tremendous touch especially Indian captain M.S.Dhoni and Gautam gambhir. G.Gambhir able to hit 423 runs in the series so far with an average of 70.50. Sachin Tendulkar also able to hit first half century in the last match against the Sri Lankan's to give indication of returning back to form which is another great advantage for the Indians. The conditions at the SCG are likely to help the batsmen though the wicket was pretty damp to start with this afternoon. Hot blazing sun for the rest of the day and on Sunday is predicted which would allow the batsmen to come on to their own. Match will start from 08.45 AM (Indian Time which will be Day Match at Sydney Cricket Ground) Likely Playing XI for Both teams: India: Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, R.Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt, wk), Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, P.Kumar. Australia: A.Gilchrist (WK), M.Hayden, R.Ponting (C), M.Clark, A.Symonds, M.Hussey, J.Hopes, B.Hogg, M.Johnson, B.Lee, N.Bracken. |
