India mum about team composition

By Steve Whiting

CHRISTCHURCH, DEC. 3. India is playing its cards close to its chest before its Cricinfo women's World Cup round robin tie against England here on Monday. With four points from two games already, India is sitting pretty - but England has to win to stay alive.

India and New Zealand are second in the table with four points while Australia is on top with six. But both Australia and New Zealand have played three games to India's two - so a victory over England would put India level on top.

Shocked by its five-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa and aware that defeat by India would put it almost out, England has dropped vice captain Melissa Reynard and all rounder Arran Thompson. Batsman Claire Taylor, who missed the South Africa game with a knee injury, returns to bat at No. 5 while Somerset off spinner Dawn Holden is recalled in a bid to boost the bowling.

But Indian captain Anju Jain will not announce her side until shortly before the start. There is speculation that India might take advantage of England's perceived weakness against spin bowling by leaving out Punjab seamer Sunita Kanajia and bringing back Kanpur left arm spinner Neetu David, who missed Saturday's win over The Netherlands with an ankle injury.

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Section  : Sport
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