Warne, Kumble battle today in Bombay

Bombay, Feb 26: This World Cup`s next big contest involves the two outstanding leg spinners, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble when India meet Australia in a day-night encounter at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

Australia are a team on song, possess great depth in batting and bowling, and have arguably the best fielding side in the competition.

India, after a slow beginning, are finding their feet, with Sachin Tendulkar leading a batting revival, and the bowling and fielding perking up considerably in the match against the West Indies. One can also list some other interesting factors that could make this game a humdinger.

From the Australian side first.

The opening pair of Mark Taylor and Michael Slater are perhaps the best in the business with their contrasting styles but great compatibility, especially in running between the wickets. The presence of the Waugh twins, Mark the artist, and Steve, now recognised as a supreme craftsman, adds experience and class to the middle order.

Then come the young tyros, who are keeping Australias stock high, to give the batting depth and dash. Michael Bevan has lightning fast reflexes, a dazzling array of shots, and is spring-heeled in the field. Ricky Ponting is rated by former captain Ian Chappell as the best young batsman in the country and a potential rival for Tendulkar and Lara.

The sudden withdrawal of McDermott is a setback to Taylor undoubtedly, but Glen McGrath and Paul Reiffel can be as mean as any in the business, and none.

If that makes Australia look formidable, India`s supporters can cite as many advantages for the home team. Of Tendulkar little more can be added to what has not already been repeated thousands of times. He is a young stalwart, in fact a genius, and, more importantly, a man in splendid form.

The remaining batsmen may not have shone in the World Cup yet, but Taylor will be wary of the potential of this line-up. Skipper Mohammed Azharuddin, one of the remaining few of the pure styl- ists in cricket, has not allowed his personal problems to face his batting. He has looked in good nick, and if he has not yet got the big scores, surely somebody has to pay a heavy price soon.

Navjot Sidhu and Vinod Kambli are the other acknowledged batsmen in this line-up. Both have very fine one-day records, and when one considers that the reserve batsman in the team is Sanjay Manjrekar, till recently regarded as the premier player in the country, one can gauge clearly that the batting strength of this team is not exaggerated.

The bowling, with a mature and fiery Srinath as spearhead, is the best that India has had in many years. The guileful Manoj Prabhakar on his day can be devastating, Venkatesh Prasad, big and brawny, has improved by leaps and bounds, and Azharuddin also has at his command the best spin bowling complement in the tournament.

There is an abundance of interest in this contest, therefore, but doubtless nothing will grip the attention of critics and fans as much as the clash of the two leg spinners, Warne and Kumble.

Both are a study in contrast. Warne is the orthodox wrist spinner who gives the ball a big tweak and has infinite variety. He can bowl the leg break, the googly, the top spinner, the flipper and the delivery he has created himself, the zooter. He preys on batsmen with his variety and tantalising flight. He experiments, and lures batsmen to their doom.

Kumble, on the other hand, is the unorthodox legspin bowler. He is quick enough to be of medium pace, does not turn the ball much either way, but possesses a lethal flipper which hurries off the wickets. His assets are his accuracy and keen understanding of batsmen`s weaknesses.

Warne works on the batsman`s mind, Kumble on their patience. But both test the technique of their opponents with the subtle application of their skills.

Warne, of course, is also an extrovert, given to extravagant gestures as such as he is to copious spin. He is blonde and bouncy, with a vigorous appeal and a temperament that can belong only to those who spend a lot of time in the sun, and love the good life.

Kumble, scholarly-looking, is an introvert. He comes from a conservative background, is a first class engineer, does not believe in being loud or provocative and loves to spend his spare time at home or with close friends.

The meeting point for both is of course their cricketing ambition. When in the middle, both Warne and Kumble are ruthless predators. This battle should be worth something.

India (from): Mohammad Azharuddin (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja, Sanjay Manjrekar, Navjot Sidhu, Vinod Kambli, Manoj Prabhakar, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Venkatapathy Raju, Ashish Kapoor, Venkatesh Prasad, Salil Ankola.

Australia (from): Mark Taylor (capt), Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Shane Lee, Stuart Law, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, Paul Reiffel, Glen McGrath, Michael Slater, Damien Fleming.