Grudge battle on today

Elmo Rodrigopulle

CRICKET: The Australians led by Ricky Ponting will walk the field today, determined to get the New Zealanders by the jagular from the first ball and strangle them when they meet in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions trophy in Mohali.

However the New Zealanders led by the clever Stephen Fleming would not be sitting 'Kiwis'. They know that they can bring the Aussies down to earth by putting pressure on them and this they will do from the time the umpires call 'play'.

The wicket is expected to be seam and swing friendly early on. But what will worry the two skippers is the dew factor that will settle in later in the evening.

If the captains consider the dew factor, then there is the possibility of the captain winning the toss, gladly deciding to ask the opponents to take first lease so as to avoid the dew factor when bowling.

The Aussies and New Zealand are evenly matched, although some would like to say that the Aussies are slightly in front, and the team adjusting and playing the cricket that is required in this 'cowboy' type of game should enter the final that has big money on offer.

From the time Greg Chappell, then leading Australia and now coach of India asked his brother Trevor to bowl that underarm delivery in a one-dayer in Australia, the games between these two teams have had a touch of grudge in them.

That underarm delivery turned the cricket world upside down and strained the good relations that existed between the two neighbours and it was a near war situation that prevailed.

But thankfully that blew over, but the scar still remains and nothing but victory would be soothing to one of the teams. Greg played it to the rules, but he was accused of not sticking to the spirit. To Greg and Trevor, it was the rule that mattered. So what!

Anyway to the game and at the time of the toss, the teams are equal, having lost one match each. The Aussies are slightly ahead with their fine allround ability.

If the Aussies are sans allrounder Shane Watson who apparently crocked his knee against India and is ruled out, then there will be little to choose between the two teams. The Kiwis will have a sigh of relief.

Watson has been blossoming into an excellent allrounder with his aggressive approach and more should be heard of him in the coming Ashes series.

The Aussies have some top class batsmen in Adam Gilchrist, Shane Watson, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey and Andrew Symonds all superb strikers of the leather.

What would have warmed the cockles for Australia is the return to form of Ponting. Martyn too, is in top form and the others are expected to chip in with good scores.

It is in the bowling department that the Aussies hold the edge. Brett Lee, Glen McGrath, Shane Watson, Michelle Johnson have bowled good line and length to restrict the opponents, while Andrew Symonds and Clarke have chipped in with economical spells. The kangaroo fielding too is tops.

The Kiwi batting revolves around the intelligent batting of skipper Stephen Fleming. If Fleming goes early, the batting runs into a bit of uncertainty and an unnecessary collapse follows. But Lou Vincent, Nathan Astle, Fulton, Jacob Oram and Brian McCullum are capable of big scores. Daniel Vettori too can swing the long handle to advantage.

The Kiwis will miss the all-round ability of Scott Styris who is injured.

For bowling they have Shane Bond who can be devastating if he strikes a length, Kylie Mills, Jacob Oram, Franklin and Vettori to scuttle the Aussies.

Although the Aussies are fancied, the Kiwis have it in them to come good on the big occasion and upset the Aussies apple cart.

Over then to Mohali and a no quarter asked or given game.