Indian hopes now rest on an Aussie win

Indian hopes now rest on an Aussie win
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

MELBOURNE, JAN 22: Hosts Australia will seek to maintain their winning momentum when they take on Pakistan in the one-day cricket tri-series league tie here on Sunday that will be as important for the beleaguered Indians who are on the verge of making a premature exit from the tournament.

The all-conquering Aussies, who bounced back from the blemish of losing the inaugural clash to Pakistan by reeling off four victories, have to win tomorrow if India are to remain afloat.

Australia have eight points from five matches, but Pakistan, who have six points from five outings, will also make it to the final if they win the day encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Having secured the final berth, Australia can afford to give the much-needed rest to Glenn McGrath after the birth of his first child on Thursday. Young tearaway Brett Lee is expected to replace his senior New South Wales teammate while Ian Harvey may come in for Shane Lee.

Pakistan are yet to overcome batting frailties at the top of the order, but Abdur Razzaq, who blasted an unbeaten 70 off 52 balls and then captured five wickets for 48 runs against India at hobart, has emerged as their new star.

Teams (from) -- Australia: Steve Waugh (C), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Damien Fleming, Ian Harvey, Stuart MacGill, Brett Lee, Shane Lee.

Pakistan (from): Wasim Akram (C), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Azhar Mehmood, Shoaib Akhtar.

Team management's plea shot down
MUMBAI: The beleaguered Indian team management's request from Australia of a replacement for the injured Ajit Agarkar was shot down by the National selectors last night, board secretary Jaywant Lele admitted on Saturday.

Lele told PTI from Baroda, ``Yes, there was a request from the team management to the chairman (Chandu Borde) last night which has been turned down.''

``They did say that T Kumaran would be a preferable replacement,'' he added.Lele also added that the impression gained from the team management in Australia was that Agarkar would not be fit for the remainder of the series in progress now.

Kapil taciturn on debacle
ADELAIDE: The battle-weary Indian cricket team arrived in Adelaide to prepare for their final week of a disastrous Australian tour, with their hopes of making it to the final of the ongoing one-day tri-series almost gone.

Skipper Sachin Tendulkar was mobbed at the Adelaide airport by autograph-seeking fans in scenes reminiscent of India's arrival here last month for the first Test.

But having lost the Test series 0-3 followed by four straight defeats in the triangular tournament, only a miracle can help India make the final. Pakistan should lose to Australia and India should win the remaining four matches by a handy margin if they are to remain in the race.

Coach Kapil Dev refused to make any comment about the pathetic show of the team thus far. ``I am only trying to say we still have three or four days. We'll talk when the time comes,'' he said when asked to comment about the performances.

India return to the Adelaide Oval, venue of the first Test defeat, in preparation for their January 25 clash against Pakistan.