NZ search for new beginning

COLOMBO, June 22: A confident India is likely to continue with the winning combination as they take on New Zealand in a bid to go 2-0 up in ...

COLOMBO, June 22: A confident India is likely to continue with the winning combination as they take on New Zealand in a bid to go 2-0 up in the Singer Akai Independence Cup in the last day-and-night league match at the Premadasa Stadium tomorrow.

India might not change the team that beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the inaugural match here on June 19.

Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad indicated that they are not keen on disturbing the winning combination. However, the final decision will be made tomorrow considering the fitness and weather conditions as it rained heavily here last night.

Gaekwad said, 8220;We want to go to Galle about 100 km from here with a 2-0 record. The boys are in high spirits and we want to capitalise on the situation and put across New Zealand,8221; he added.

He stressed that 2-0 lead would be great advantage as India had not played at Galle so far whereas the other two competitors in the tri-nation series had battled out in a Test match. 8220;We don8217;t know the condition of the pitchthere.8221;

The Sri Lankan cricket board, in its bid to promote the game in the war ravaged island nation, has decided to play three One-day matches in tourists8217; paradise Galle. Later, the teams return to play three more day matches before the battle for title between the top two teams at Premadasa Stadium on July 7.

New Zealand coach Steve Rixon said they would forget the result against Sri Lanka but not the way the players played. He also promised that the boys would put up a good display against India. New Zealand lost by seven wickets to Sri Lanka yesterday.

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Captain Mohammed Azharuddin and Gaekwad have very little scope for effecting changes. Since Ajit Agarkar is among wickets, Debashish Mohanty has no place in the final XI. With Sourav Ganguly opening with Sachin Tendulkar, Gagan Khoda will not get the nod. As teenager off-spinner Harbhajan Singh performed superbly in the first match, Rahul Sanghvi could watch proceedings from the pavilion.

In stark contrast, New Zealand, having lost the Testseries to Sri Lanka, might go in for at least a couple of changes.

Teams: India from: M Azharuddin captain, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, B K Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar, Debashish Mohanty, Gagan Khoda and Rahul Sanghvi.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle, Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Mathew Horne, Craig McMillan, Dion Nash, Mark Priest, Daniel Vettori, Paul Wiseman, Shayne O8217; Connor, Adam Parore, Craig Spearman and Bryan Young.