A teams begin second leg on even keel

A glance at the points table shows how evenly matched the three teams are ahead of the second leg of the tri-series, which begins at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with hosts India A taking on New Zealand A on Sunday. All three teams are level on points, having won and lost a game each, though New Zealand boast the best net run-rate.

The similarity between the teams isn't limited to the points table. All three sides have experienced batting collapses largely due to the sporting track in Hyderabad which limited three scores to less than 200. It's an issue each camp would have addressed, especially the Indians, who haven't fired as a unit even though they have several internationally-experienced batsmen in their line-up.

The pitch in Chennai, however, could change all that for it's expected to be full of runs. It will ease the pressure on India's openers, Robin Uthappa and Swapnil Asnodkar, who had partnerships of 5 and 1 in the first two games and are in need of a solid performance before the reserves in the squad get a look-in.

Both batsmen are strong of the front foot but are vulnerable in conditions that suit the seamers. Against New Zealand, Asnodkar forgot where his off stump was and looked back to see it land half-a-dozen yards away. Uthappa was squared up by Shaun Tait in the first game and offered a sitter to mid-on after a flamboyant beginning against New Zealand A.

The captain S Badrinath and Yusuf Pathan have held the middle-order together but the Indians won't have Badrinath's services for much longer because he's been named as Sachin Tendulkar's replacement in the squad for the Irani Trophy which begins on Wednesday.

New Zealand's middle order has its problems too. Their collapse, during which seven wickets feel for 70, was the reason for defeat against India A. They will be stretched further by the humid weather in Chennai, with temperatures around 37 degrees, which Peter Fulton, their captain, said would be a huge factor. A couple of their players are carrying niggles and New Zealand have put off naming their team until tomorrow.

Australia are the most confident of the three sides, scorching the Indian bowling attack after a poor batting performance in their first game. The departure of Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle to the Test team hasn't depleted their fast-bowling resources either, with Ashley Noffke and Shaun Tait unsettling the Indians with swing and pace. The vice-captain, Adam Voges, hasn't fired through the entire tour and a big score is due from him.

Each side has two games left and a defeat in the first of those could jeopardise chances of making the final. A repeat of the first leg in Hyderabad could have all three teams level on two wins each, which will bring bonus points into the picture.