Number games may overshadow final Test

With favourites India sealing the three-match Test series after their back to back wins at Mumbai and Chennai, the only interest that the third and final Test, commencing here at Eden Garden tomorrow, is whether Sourav Ganguly and his in-form brigade will be able to effect a clean sweep or Carl Hooper-led West Indies side will be able to save itself from a whitewash.

TEAMS

INDIA: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Sanjay Bangar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Parthiv Patel, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Amit Mishra, Shiv Sunder Das. WEST INDIES: Carl Hooper (capt), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Daren Ganga, Marlon Samuels, Ryan Hinds, Gareth Breese, Ridley Jacobs, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins, Cameron Cuffy, Darren Powell and Jermaine Lawson. Umpires: David Shepherd (England) and Asoka D’Silva (Sri Lanka). Match refeere: Mike Proctor (South Africa). Hours of play : 9-30 am – 11-30 am, 12-10 PM – 2-10 PM, 2-30 PM – 4-30 PM. Story continues below this ad

This apart, the match will be the right opportunity for cricketers of both the sides to add to their individual career records. For instance, if Ganguly continues his winning spree, he will equal Mohammad Azharuddin’s record as the most successful India captain with 14 victories under his belt. There is also lot of expectation from Ganguly and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to break the jinx of not hitting a Test hundred at the Eden.

Ganguly’s highest score at this venue is 65, which he scored against Australia in 1997-98. Sachin’s best in five Tests here is 79 (vs Australia in 1997-98 though he has slammed a ODI ton (100) against kenya in 1998.

In all probability, the third Test will witness a run feast with Virender Sehwag, the new batting sensation, and Rahul Dravid expected to carry on their ruthless hammering of the beleaguered Caribbean bowlers. A big knock from the blade of Hyderabadi touch artist VVS Laxman is due, rather over due.

The need to play a big innings has become all the more important for the leading batsmen of the visiting side.

Especially, Ramnaresh Sarwan, who has showed appreciable courage and technique in facing the Indian spinners, will be desperate to achieve his maiden Test ton and live up to his promise. A century from skipper Hooper will be a big inspiration for his struggling teammates to salvage some reputation.

Both the teams underwent lengthy net practice in the morning and afternoon sessions before the captains met the media people to dispel the fear that the re-laid Eden pitch would as under-prepared as that of Mumbai and Chennai.

‘‘It looks dry with no grass on it,’’ both Ganguly and Hooper agreed. Hooper went on to say that the strip may take turn from the third day. Though both the team managements deferred the announcement of the their playing eleven, sources in the teams disclosed that left-arm speedster Ashish Nehra would replace injured Zaheer Khan to share the new ball with Javagal Srinath. Mumbai seamer Ajit Agarkar, Orissa batsman SS Das and UP tweaker Amit Mishra would cool their heels as before, the source added.

About the chances of injured Windies paceman Pedro Collins playing the match, Hooper said the decision of a fitness test conducted on the bowler would be known on the morrow.

Though the final Test does not carry much interest, it is expected to draw a crowd of 70,000 spectators. With the ghosts of betting and match-fixing continues to be a cause of worry, security arrangements have been tightened further at the Eden as well as at the team hotel. Even the media had a tough time while covering the nets sessions on Tuesday.