Series comes alive as Zimbabwe make a comeback

Speak of Kanpur and one man's face lights up with a wry smile, even if Barry Jarman personally would like to forget the encounter at the Green Park, 41 years ago. Jasu Patel shaped a notable triumph over Australia that wintry day in 1959 but the game also happened to be Jarman's Test debut. The 64-year-old former Australian wicketkeeper is back in Kanpur for the fourth ODI between India and Zimbabwe, to be played tomorrow. A lot has changed in these 40 years - even the pitch. It is nothing like 40 years ago when Patel took 14 wickets while Alan Davidson 12. This time, the pitch promises to help the batsmen.

Monday's match could have been deemed as yet another in the unending encounters that are being churned out but for the previous game at Jodhpur. Going down to the wire, the match did prove to be a roller coaster ride. The most significant aspect of Zimbabwe's one wicket victory - even more than the fact that it was the visitors' first win against India in this country - was that it has brought the series back to life.

The interesting aspect of the Jodhpur win was that it brought out one of the greatest assets of the Zimbabweans - their determination to fight the battle till the very end. This was plainly evident from the manner in which the two Flower brothers Andy and Grant and later Nkala batted.

The Indians on the other hand seem to actually suffer from the lack of determination. After having nailed them initially at the score of 51 for 3, it was the inability of the bowlers to penetrate into the opposition that mattered the most. The Indian captain who accepted the fact in Jodhpur and now in Kanpur also said that he would take the field on Monday with his trusted three seam attack with the addition of both Aasish Kapoor and Virender Shewag.

Both these spinners have been out of the international scene for quite a while but they should get to play the match on Monday. The Indian skipper said at the press conference soon after nets on Sunday that they will be leaving out Ritinder Singh Sodhi while revealing the thirteen. He said that both the new reinforcements, Kapoor and Shewag have been named in the squad.

It would really be a acid test for the two and more so for India since a win here for them would clinch the five match series. On the other hand, Zimbabwe are showing signs of a comeback, and if they manage to square the series, the encounter at Rajkot would be a nerve wracking decider.

The Indian batting order with the top in cracking form and the youthful middle strong on paper, is raring to be unleashed against the opposition. The cause for concern is well and truly with the bowling. With Zaheer and Agarkar taking the new ball and Prasad to follow, it is all too well for India in the first few overs. But then the spinners have not really delivered the goods. The ease with which Andy especially has played them has left a lot to be desired on their part.

Of course, Zimbabwe's first win over India on the sub continent was not achieved easily. Heath Streak said that though their bowling was made to look pedestrian, it was not really a cause for concern. Their strength too lies in their awe inspiring batting line up, especially at the top of the order. He added that the team is expecting to put up a better show at Green Park. Their one real cause for concern is Viljoen who seems to be a doubtful starter.

Not discounting the more than useful qualities of Alister Campbell or Grant Flower or the rest of the middle order, Zimbabwe's batting really revolves around their wicketkeeper batsman, Andy Flower.

All said and done, the onus is on Zimbabwe to force their way into the reckoning in the series. On the other hand, the visitors have nothing to lose. It is only a matter of tightening up their game and adhering to the game plan and this could see them draw level in the series.