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Mumbai without Tendulkar ready for Aussie clash
Waleed Hussain - 21 February 2001
The much awaited Mumbai-Australia clash, has finally arrived at the
CCI. The absence of Sachin Tendulkar and Ajit Agarkar has turned all
the hype and hoopla into disappointment. Glen McGrath and Shane Warne
will have to wait until the first Test at the Wankhede stadium in
Mumbai to have a go at the little master. Two seasons ago, Mark
Taylor's Australians tasted a ten wicket defeat at the hands of
Mumbai, at the same venue. Moreover, at the hands of the little
champion Tendulkar. Tendulkar scored his maiden double century in
that historic match. The entire tour kicked off from there in favour
of India.
Former India wicketkeeper Samir Dighe will lead them into the game.
Tendulkar's absence will have a grave mark on the result of the match,
his replacement in the team is a man making a comeback after an
absence of six months from domestic cricket. Southpaw Jatin Paranjpe
will don the Mumbai cap to take on the tourists in place of the little
master. Agarkar's replacement however, is a man very much in the best
form of his career. Robin Morris has been in fine form in the Ranji
One-Day games as well as the four day games for Mumbai. His batting
average in the West Zone Ranji One-Day league was 108.
Mumbai's bowling attack will start with legspinner Sairaj Bahutule who
is hopeful of being picked for the second Test. Medium pacer Swapnil
Hazare has been included and so has Sriram Kannan, who gets a recall
after a gap of three years. Left arm spinner Nilesh Kulkarni also has
been called back to the squad for this crucial tie, he will be
supported in the spin department by offspinner Ramesh Powar.
The Indian crowds will have their first glimpse of Mark Waugh, Glen
McGrath and Shane Warne. All three players were rested in the previous
game at Nagpur. Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer have made runs in the
previous game, the latter having scored a century and the former two
half-centuries. Opener Matthew Hayden looked calm and reserved in his
stay at the crease so far. The classy Mark Waugh hunting for a double
hundred on this tour will have a bat in this game.
All eyes will be on the wicket which looks flat and full of runs. In
Tendulkar's absence, the middle order will revolve around Kambli. He
is supported by Amol Muzumdar, Jatin Paranjpe and skipper Samir Dighe.
A lot is at stake in this game for the hosts, the tourists will use
this game to experiment with various bowling combinations. The
Australian batsmen will also be keen to spend as much time as possible
out in the middle.
© CricInfo
Teams
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Australia,
India.
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First Class Teams
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Mumbai.
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Players/Umpires
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Sachin Tendulkar,
Ajit Agarkar,
Glenn McGrath,
Shane Warne,
Sameer Dighe,
Robin Morris,
Sairaj Bahutule,
Swapneel Hazare,
Shriram Kannan,
Nilesh Kulkarni,
Ramesh Powar,
Mark Waugh,
Ricky Ponting,
Justin Langer,
Matthew Hayden,
Vinod Kambli,
Amol Muzumdar,
Jatin Paranjpe.
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Tours
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Australia in India
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Grounds
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Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
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