Sachin to sit out,changes likely

Sachin Tendulkar,who retired hurt after scoring a match-winning 163 on Sunday due to an injured abdomen muscle,opted to stay back at the hotel. Giving him company was Harbhajan Singh. Though there was no official word on Tendulkar’s fitness status,the MRI scan of the injured area reportedly didn’t reveal too much damage. As a precaution he will be rested for the fourth game,and if India take a 3-0 lead to wrap up the series,the rest could be extended.

The New Zealand selectors named a fresh squad for the final two one-dayers. Daniel Vettori,who missed the 3rd ODI to be with his wife for the birth of their child,will return to lead the side at Hamilton. Pace bowler Ian Butler,who suffered a thigh strain during Sunday night’s game at Christchurch,was replaced by Ewen Thompson,and with wicket-keeper Peter McGlashan retained in the squad it was clear that Brendon McCullum would continue to play just as a batsman. Vettori’s stand-by Jeetan Patel,too,kept his place in the side while Tim Southee was dropped after his figures of 10-0-105-0.

Kiwi positives

Despite the changes and the 2-0 deficit,coach Andy Moles said there were several positives from the last game. “We messed up our bowling plans,but there were quite a few bright spots. Jesse (Ryder) got his first ODI hundred and Brendon (McCullum) also did play well upfront,” he said.

Later in the briefing,he also went on the mention how the bowlers got it right against Virender Sehwag and MS Dhoni but the problem was that there was no room for error against any of the Indian batsmen. “We have plans for all batters. But every plan is worth the paper it is written on if the bowlers don’t bowl according to it,” said Moles.

There was no one available for comments from the Indian camp on Monday but it was clear from Sunday’s game that all was not well with their bowling department. In the absence of Ishant Sharma,the pace department had been found wanting,and Munaf Patel’s forgettable spell of 7.2-0-79-0,the team management will be taking a fresh look at their plan to re-draft Sharma.

The young paceman had bowled a few overs in the last net session on Saturday but hasn’t bowled at full throttle since sustaining a shoulder injury in the second T20 game. The Sharma dilemma would have been at the back of the mind of the team management even during their break.