Cricinfo - Big bulls lock horns today (28 October 1998)

It will be a big battle within a battle, a fascinating contest between two combative forces in the instant version of the game, when India take on Australia in the third quarterfinal of the Wills International Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.

The day-night match will start at 2 pm in front of a sell-out crowd at the 37,000 capacity big bowl. Bangladesh Television will cover the match live and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast ball-by-ball commentary of the proceedings.

Although it was not confirmed whether the bookies are in the city ahead of the muchanticipated clash, the two teams are aware of the fact that this is a one-off situation and that a defeat means a trip back home.

The Indian team, which arrived in the city on Sunday, has limbered up in a last minute training session at the main venue under floodlights in the evening. So did the Australians, most of whom flew in from Karachi in the afternoon.

And, after the training session, both the Australian captain Steve Waugh and the Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin called their 54th ODI clash "the toughest one".

The record books will certainly proclaim Australia as the favourites, who won on 29 occasions against India's 21. But as far as this particular venue is concerned, Azhar's India will definitely be looking forward to keeping their slate clean - a one hundred percent success.

India won two trophies here - the Asia Cup in 1988 and the Independence Cup earlier this year, both under Azhar's leadership.

The most capped Indian captain will also be looking forward to achieving a unique landmark in his record 300th one-day appearance for his country. Azhar is only 95 runs away to pip West Indian opener Desmond Haynes to the post. Haynes is the highest run-getter in limited overs cricket with 8,648 runs.

The 35-year-old Azhar, however, had a different approach to the crucial encounter. "I will treasure this match only if India wins. There is no joy in defeat".

But an Indian victory lap nowadays depends a lot on the performance of little master Sachin Tendulkar. Dubbed the best batsman in the world at the moment, Tendulkar was in the thick of things when India defeated Australia in their last meeting at Sharjah. This time around all eyes will also be fixed on Tendulkar when the prolific right-hander opens the Indian innings with Saurav Ganguly, another icon in the Indian batting line-up.

The tall Indian batting order will be followed by Azhar, vice-captain Ajay Jadeja, Rahul Dravid and Robin Singh, who played a great knock in the nail-biting Independence Cup final against Pakistan on this very ground last January.

Javagal Srinath will spearhead the Indian bowling battery. The lithe right-arm seamer, who returned to top flight with a bang after a long injury lay-off, will open the Indian attack with a persevering Venkatesh Prasad.

While the Indians will be counting mostly on the batting prowess of Tendulkar, the Australians will be banking on a host of all-rounders. The Aussies, famous for their uncanny ability to lift their game against all odds, are carrying a number of proven one-day specialists.

"We have a lot of flexibility, we've got a lot of new players, we've got eight or nine guys who can bowl in one-dayers, and we bat all the way down to number eight or nine," Australia's one-day captain Steve Waugh told a press briefing yesterday. "So, I think we've got a good mixture.

"I believe the key to (success) in one-day cricket is good fielding. If your fielding is good you can win most games."

How important is this tournament for the Australians ahead of the World Cup? "Every one-day tournament is important for us. We have played some excellent cricket over the last six months. Winning this tournament will give us a mental edge ahead of the World Cup," said Waugh.

"Tomorrow's game will be an extremely tough one. The Indians are used to this conditions where the pitches keep low and the ball do not come on to the bat. But we have beaten them four times out of the last five occasions. Everybody in our team is now in good form. So, I'm confident."

The Australians are a balanced side in every department. The Waugh twins - Mark and Steve - are the mainstay in the Australian batting.

Michael Bevan, programmed for one-day cricket, is brilliant when he is on song. Young Ricky Ponting, who has recently parted with his French-cut, is always a potential match-winner.

In bowling, Australia possess a deadly customer in the likes of fast-bowler Glenn McGrath.

Big bulls lock horns today (28 October 1998)