Indian news round-up

Former Australian all rounder Greg Matthews, who had earlier said his country would win the current Test series against India 2-0, now says that Australia can win 3-0. Speaking to PTI at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, Matthews, who emerged as one of the heroes of the tied Test at Madras in 1986 by taking ten wickets, said the Aussies have already taken a 1-0 lead "and except for one or two Indian batsmen, I don't think the others can face the battery of fast bowlers spearheaded by Glenn McGrath."

Matthews, 41, added "On the Eden Garden pitch, where the second Test is to be played from March 11, the Indians will find it hard to play Jason Gillespie, who has already caused panic in the Indian camp by injuring Javagal Srinath and Nayan Mongia in the Mumbai Test, and others. If the Aussies take a 2-0 lead they will be hard to beat at Chennai where the ball will turn a lot and leg spinner Shane Warne and off spinner Mark Waugh, who took three wickets in the first Test, can cause lot of problems to the Indian batsmen," said Matthews.

"I don't see the present Indian team without Anil Kumble winning the one-day series either, unless Sachin (Tendulkar) comes up with a oneman show type of innings which he played at Sharjah," added Matthews, who has already predicted that Australia would win the one day series 4-1.

Australian cricket coach John Buchanan said in Mumbai on Saturday that his team's ten-wicket victory in the first Test at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday was the best among its record 16 Test wins in a row.

"Among the last 16 Test wins, I consider the victory at Mumbai as memorable as we had to play under different conditions against some good bowling attack particularly by Harbhajan Singh and Ajit Agarkar in patches," Buchanan said. "In fact, each Test win has special significance, the players responded to the challenge individually and collectively and it is a great start to the tour especially when you have a win under your belt in a three Test series," he added.

After net practice, Buchanan told reporters there was no injury worry for the Aussies and both Justin Langer and Mark Waugh were completely fit. "However, we would like to try out some new combinations in the game against the Board President's XI at Delhi," he added. Asked whether Michael Slater's poor form was a cause for worry, Buchanan said "Slater is technically and mentally strong and I am sure he will get back to form soon."

Meanwhile, star Aussie leg spinner Shane Warne was seen coaching about 20 aspiring spinners in one corner of the field. He was demonstrating how to bowl flippers and googlies to the youngsters, who seemed to be enjoying every minute of it.

Disgraced former Indian captain Mohd Azharuddin will not be in the Indian squad which will play a 40 over a side match in Chennai against Australia on March 17, to rekindle memories of Tied Test II, which was played between the two countries at Chennai (then Madras) from September 18 to 22, 1986.

Except Azharuddin and possibly Kapil Dev, all the other cricketers who played for India in that game will figure against the Australians, led by Allan Border, according to a press release from Professional Management Group (PMG), the organisers of the match. Kapil Dev, the then Indian captain who had earlier announced that he will not have anything to do with cricket in future, is unlikely to play.

The Indian team will comprise Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Chandrakant Pandit, Ravi Shastri, Kiran More (WK), Chetan Sharma, Shivlal Yadav, Roger Binny, Maninder Singh, L Sivaramakrishnan and Raju Kulkarni.

Among the members of the 1986 Australian team, the present captain Steve Waugh as well as G Dyer and D Gilbert will not be playing in the match. The Australian team will comprise Allan Border (Capt.), David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Dean Jones, Ray Bright, Greg Ritchie, Greg Matthews, Tim Zoehrer (WK), Craig McDermott, Bruce Reid, Simon Davis and Mike Veletta.

Not unexpectedly, Railways defeated Andhra by 111 runs to win the 25th Senior National Women's cricket championship in Asansol on Saturday. In 15 final appearances, this was Railways' 14th triumph.

With rain having washed out on the first day's play of the scheduled three day final, and with the match then changed to be a one innings affair of 82 overs, Railways had virtually made sure of the title by scoring 306 for five in 82 overs on Friday. Andhra did put up a semblance of a fight but that was not enough and they were all out for 195 in 80.1 overs.

U Kusumlatha top scored with 52 off 64 balls with five fours and the only six of the tournament. Sudha Rani (33) and Monica Preethi (35) came up with valuable contributions. Rupanjali Shastri (3 for 33) was the most successful bowler and she was supported by Neetu David (2 for 56) and Deepa Kulkarni (2 for 39).

On Friday, the game began 45 minutes late because of wet conditions of the ground. Openers Rajini Venugopal (74) and Vanitha Viola (56) put on 106 runs. Mithali Raj (72), Hemlata Kala (42) and Arundathi Kirkire (37 not out) then followed with breezy knocks to help Railways post their challenging total. Off spinner Monica sent down 36 overs and took four for 97. Mithali Raj was adjudged the woman of the match while Rajini Venugopal was adjudged the player of the tournament.