The 1st Test at Centurion starts from 16th Dec where the two sides are gearing up as the ultimate tag of World Champions is at stake. Proteas have lost only one Test match at Centurion while India is yet to play here. On the periphery it is Gary Kirsten v/s Corrie van Zyl, both South Africans players who will try and out-wit one another with Corrie being under pressure as he newly takes charge of the South African side. This series will see the best new ball seamers (Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel) taking on probably the best opening partners (Viru and Gauti) with little bit of dampness and grass on the pitch. History burdening both the sides : India has won just 1 Test of the 12 it has played since 1992, while SA recent performance of registering no wins in the last two series at home.
SA is a side which has not been no. 1 for long now but have always been too close to that spot. They definitely boast of the best side at home in present times. Under this condition Dhoni's boys will face the challenge of a life time to keep their crown.
Apart from quicks, spin will also play a crucial role. India would be least worried in this department as it can rely on the experienced and attacking Bhajji compared to Paul Harris. But India would not want to neglect him owing to his performance in 2006-07 against India at Cape-Town.
Even weather gods are expected to affect the first Test match. The team that wins the toss would decide to bowl first if play starts early. But rain is almost sure on the first day so the team would like to bat first, capitalize on the conditions and then use the pitch on the second and the third day. So play may start a bit late than the fans have expected.
Mind games have started before the start of the series. Captain Graeme Smith said at a press conference in Centurion "If you're going to be No. 1 in the world you have to be convincing all around the world and beat people in their own backyards. That's what Australia did consistently. The pressure will be on India." Smith knows that even if they clinch the series they wont become No.1 but its about dominance and prestige now. On the other hand Coach Gary Kirsten says India will play on the front foot and if they win the series they will be the best side in history to come out of South Africa.
Head to Head Comparison:
Batting
Opening
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are probably the best opening pair in the world in all forms of cricket. But they have a tough competition from skipper Grame Smith and Alviro Petersen who scored a century against India as a debutant. Sehwag's average of 55 overall slumps to 26 in SA and this would be a big reason for India to worry. Morkel still thinks Sehwag is the biggest threat to them. The Proteas have strategised to get Sehwag out, as it slows down the scoreboard for India. If either of Sehwag or Gambhir play the day 350 is on board. So as India for sees danger it mostly comes down to Sehwag in the end.
India may hove an edge in the opening pairs.\
No.3
Rahul Dravid, India's no. 3 has an average of 53 which goes down to 34 in SA. India would want him to become 'the Wall' again. He should ride on his 191 against New Zealand and would be confident to take on the bowlers with his style. Hashim Amla, probably the most feared batsmen of this year who averages 88 in Tests and 76 in ODIs, since he came to India earlier this year. He also has a fine average of 85 at Centurion. It is a tough one at No.3
Middle Order
The No.4s are legends of cricket. Sachin Tendulkar v/s Jacques Kallis. How can anyone compare the two. Sachin is having the best time of his legendary career with an awaited 50th ton as he comes for the last time to SA under his tricolour helmet. Kallis has always been in form and his bouncers would make him even more valuable.
The No.5s are again incomparable. VVS Laxman and AB de Villiers. Laxman has been excellent with the tail enders too. With recently scoring the highest individual score by a Protea 278*, and Laxman not having a good record in SA, AB de would provide an edge to Africa. Even his excellent fielding would make him more valuable.
The No.6 are probably weak links of the Teams. Ashwell Prince and Suresh Raina. Raina has not got runs in his series against NZ. Prince's still anyways has the home ground advantage over Raina.
Wicket Keepers
MS Dhoni and Mark Boucher are almost of the same caliber behind the stumps but as far as batting is concerned Dhoni's present form will give an edge to Boucher. Though Dhoni cannot be written off just like this.
Spin
India clearly edges SA as Harbhajan will love the bounce and spin on these tracks. Moreover he has proved himslef as an excellent No.8 batsmen with two consecutive centuries under his belt. Paul Harris will have to work too hard to come at par with Singh.
Fast
Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel SA clearly has the best opening duo compared to Indian quicks who will miss Zak due to injury. Steyn's average of 19 and Morkel's average of 22 would come to the likes of SA. Under these conditions Indian weak bowling attack will be put to a big test as Ishant Sharma and S Sreesanth compete against the lethal duo of SA.
11th man
Lonwabo Tsotsobe will provide the variation as a left handed quick with Steyn and Morkel being right handed. India will have to choose amongst new kids Jaydesh Unadkat and Umesh Yadav. Probably the performance of these will create the difference.
Captains
MS Dhoni and Graeme Smith can be called the best captains their country has seen. This is the real clash where Dhoni's toss losing habit could hurt India.
Coach
Gary obviously is better placed and experienced compared to his compatriot Corrie.
Injury
India will obviously miss Zaheer Khan probably for the first Test at Centurion. But even South Africa has woes as its captain Smith is suffering from finger injury and Hashim Amla has been advised to rest owing to his arm.
No comments:
Post a Comment