Laxman returns for Coca-Cola Cup final

Indian captain Saurav Ganguly confirmed that V V S Laxman will play in the final of the triangular one-day series against West Indies in Harare on Saturday while Ajit Agarkar and Harvinder Singh were the bowlers likely to be left out of the eleven.

Laxman, who injured his left index finger while taking a catch in India's first game against Zimbabwe, is fit and will take his position at number three.

"I think we would more or less play the same side as on Wednesday (against West Indies in the last league match) with only Laxman coming in," Ganguly said.

While he did not spell it out, Harvinder Singh who played in the last game might be the other one to be excluded having conceded 65 runs in that match. Agarkar, who missed the previous match due to injury, is fit but the other bowlers seem to have slightly better credentials.

Coach John Wright too stopped short of naming the final eleven but made his preference clear when he said he would go with four specialist bowlers "who could bowl dot balls and field well."

The exclusion of Agarkar and Harvinder would mean Ashish Nehra, Debasish Mohanty and Zaheer Khan bagging the three berths for fast bowlers while Harbhajan Singh would be the only spinner in the side.

"Our batting looks stronger with the return of Laxman," Ganguly said. "Our bowlers too have done a very good job, especially in the last game where, I thought, we did well enough to restrict them (West Indies) to 229 for five."

When reminded that India had lost the last three finals they have featured in, Wright said, "I am not really interested in history. All I can say is that boys would give everything to win this match."

"I think the thing about the finals is that you got to do the basics right, keep it simple. That way you give yourself the best chance to win the finals.

"We played good cricket in the last four games. We have just improved as we've got along in the fielding. As for batting, even though (Sachin) Tendulkar has been oustanding, we generally had somebody in the end," he said. "The players are aware it is a big game and want to do well."

Ganguly, who has won the toss and put in the opposition to bat in all the four matches, felt the wicket wasn't a big factor any more in the competition. "We got a good track in the last game and this appears to be equally good for the finals," he said.

But West Indian skipper Carl Hooper said he would still opt to field first on winning the toss as the pitch looked to offer help to the bowlers in the first 5-10 overs.

"It generally flattens out to be a very good batting pitch (after that)," Hooper said. "It (the pitch) is better in the afternoon for the batsmen so I would opt to field first if I win the toss."

Hooper felt his fast bowlers had been found lacking in doing the containing job and needed to get their act together in the final against quality Indian batting.

"Our quicks have gone for some runs in the first 15 overs," Hooper said and brushed aside suggestions that he should employ more spinners against India.

"I think it is preferred to have pacemen rather than spinners against the Indians. It is quite a thing to say that Indians are susceptible to spinners."

Hooper said his young batsmen have got on to a good start but failed to convert those 50-60s. "I think as an opener if you are able to bat for 20-30 overs, you should be able to bat till the end. It hasn't happened but I am hopeful for the final" he said.

Hooper admitted that the injury to paceman (Cameron) Cuffy and the banning of wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs were big blows to his side. "Cuffy's is a real blow because he was such a good influence on the bowling. As for Jacobs, we are lucky we have him available for the final. It could have been lot worse."

Hooper believed the Indian side, though quite formidable, lacked some experience. "I don't think it is the strongest Indian side I have ever played against. They are missing Javagal Srinath and a bit of experience in the eleven."