A couple of days back, India got its first win of the ongoing tour of South Africa when it handily defeated Griqualand West in a day-night one-day game. In course of the game, Saurav Ganguly, who was tried out as opener, came good with a swashbuckling century and, equally importantly, partnered skipper Sachin Tendulkar in a 94-run opening stand.

However, these two seeming pluses have to be viewed in context of the fact that Griqualand West is not a very strong side in terms of pace attack, and the wicket was flat and tailormade for batting.

Thus, for the Indians, this three-day game assumes importance, as it is the last chance Sachin Tendulkar and his men have to get their act together before the third Test. And besides the fact of playing on a fast track, the Indians will also face a highly competent bowling lineup, even with spearhead Allan Donald sitting the game out.

For Free State, the attack will be spearheaded by Herman Bakkes, Brad Player and Sarel Ciliers, the last-named in particular being rated a bright prospect, with an ability to generate real pace and also swing the ball in the air. And by way of support, there is also spinner Nicky Boje.

The Free State star to watch for will be opener Gerhardus Liebenberg, a free-stroking batsman who was rated a national team probable as early as February last year, during the build up to the Wills World Cup. Liebenberg was the highest run-getter for the state in the last domestic season, and is increasingly being seen as a player for the future.

Also in the lineup is South African skipper Hansie Cronje, who has decided to concentrate on his batting in the three day game, giving up the captaincy to Liebenberg. Cronje, who indicated in a recent interview that his goal is to lead his side to a 3-0 whitewash of India in the ongoing Test series, has led the side with distinction without, however, managing to come good with the bat in recent times. In fact, over the last 11 Tests - one versus Zimbabwe, five versus England, three in India and now two more at home against the same opponents - Cronje has managed only 415 runs in 18 innings, with just two 50s, one against Zimbabwe and the other against India in Kanpur.

And it is to bat himself into some kind of form that Cronje has decided to play in the Free State lineup against India. ``I have felt reasonably comfortable at the crease this season, but I am struggling to get beyond the 40s,'' the SA skipper told the media, indicating that he would like a long innings under his belt at Bloemfontein in order to tune himself up for the third Test at the Wanderers beginning January 16.

India, meanwhile, plans to use the game to allow some of its off form players to get some practise, and also to provide an index of form leading in to the third Test.

Thus, the touring side will rest opening bowlers Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, off-form vice captain Anil Kumble, keeper Nayan Mongia and middle order batsman Mohammad Azharuddin.

Though both Vikram Rathore and Woorkeri Raman are included in the Indian team for the three day game, chances are that India will try out Pankaj Dharmani in the opening slot, given that it looks highly unlikely that both Raman and Rathore will play the third Test. As it stands, indications from the team management are that Raman will definitely be dropped, and if Dharmani comes good in the new role then Rathore could also find himself sitting this one out while India goes in with either Dharmani-Mongia, or Dharmani-Ganguly.

Meanwhile, the bowling looks thin on top, with just David Johnson, Doda Ganesh and Venkatapathy Raju among the regular bowlers playing this game, while the likes of Saurav Ganguly and Woorkeri Raman will in all probabilty be providing the backup.