Sport
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Cricket
Indian eves raring to go
By S. Dinakar
CHENNAI, JAN. 5. In these days of crass commercialisation, with hectic schedules, big bucks, and not inconsiderable hype, women's cricket provides us a rare glimpse of the game's very soul.
It is a very different world here. The contests are few and far between, the money involved is significantly less, and the promotional whiz kids are conspicuous by their absence. A world closer to reality.
It's the `love for the game', the sheer pride of wearing the National cap, and the joy of just `competing,' that keeps these women going. Isn't this what cricket was always meant to be?
Indeed, there's an old world charm about women's cricket. The ambience might be relaxed, yet there is no questioning the effort put in by these brave girls, many of whom had to surmount daunting odds before carving out an international career.
You just have to salute their spirit.
Just consider this. India turned in an extremely creditable display during World Cup 2000 in New Zealand, finishing third, but did not figure in a single international match in 2001. The momentum gained had come to nothing.
And England, that ended up fifth in the World Cup, was only slightly better off, taking on Australia in three ODIs and a Test this summer. Staggering piece of statistics.
Keeping the motivational levels high in this scenario is a real problem, though Indian skipper Anjum Chopra insists that her young team is `raring to go' ahead of Sunday's one-day international against England at the ICL-Guru Nanak College ground, the first game of the five-match Hero Honda series.
It is a new-look Indian side, with as many as six fresh faces in the 15-member squad for the first three games _ openers Jaya Sharma and Gulshan Sharma, seamer Jhulan Goswami, leg-spinning all-rounder Amrita Shinde, and off-spinners Bindeswari Goyal and Nousheen al-Khadeer.
Indeed, the Indian team is going through a transition period with long-serving cricketers like Purnima Rau drifting into the sunset. And skipper Anjum is sure that the youngsters will rise to the occasion.
The Indian batting is in safe hands with Anju Jain, also the wicketkeeper, offering stability at the top and stroke-makers, left-handed Anjum Chopra and Mitali Raj adding weight to the line-up.
In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Neetu David has been an exceptional performer for India over the years with a relaxed action, and a consistent line. Another left-armer Deepa Kulkarni could team up with Neetu. And Jhulan Goswami, who is likely to make her debut here, is the quickest among the Indian medium pacers.
``They are keen to learn, and working hard on various aspects of the game. They should do well in the series,'' noted Tarak Sinha of Delhi, the side's new coach. Incidentally, several Indian men's cricketers, the latest being left-arm paceman Aashish Nehra, have been nurtured by Sinha.
Like Tarak Sinha, it will be the first assignment as England coach for John Harmer, the bio-mechanics expert from Victoria. He appears confident too: ``There is a lot of talent in the side, and the preparation was alright in the first tour game on Friday.''
Indeed, the English girls got a feel of the Indian conditions during their six-wicket win over the WCAI XI. Especially opener Aaron Thompson, who displayed the right temperament.
There is a distinct lack of experience in the line-up though and it's crucial that the other opener Caroline Atkins, apart from Jane Cassar and Kate Lowe in the middle-order, come good.
The team has useful all-rounders in skipper Clare Connor, left-arm spinner and lower middle-order bat, and Laura Newton, who can bat at No. 3 and send down handy seamers. Clare Taylor and Lucy Pearson could share the new ball. Bowling and fielding are England's stronger flanks.
The pitch for Sunday's game appears true, and Indian coach Tarak Sinha confided that he would be happier if it aided the spinners. Will things turn in the home side's favour against a bunch of determined girls from England. Well, it could be an interesting duel under the Chennai sun...if the weather holds good.
The match will be telecast live on Doordarshan Sports from 9.30 a.m. onwards.
The teams:
India (from): Anjum Chopra (captain), Anju Jain, Jaya Sharma, Mitali Raj, Mamtha Maben, Arundhati Kirkare, Amrita Shinde, Hemalatha Kala, Neetu David, Deepa Kulkarni, Jhulan Goswami, Sunita Singh, Bindeswari Goyal, Nousheen al-Khadeer, and Gulshan Sharma. Coach: Tarak Sinha.
England (from): Clare Connor (captain), Caroline Atkins, Aaron Thompson, Laura Newton, Jane Cassar, Mandi Godliman, Kate Lowe, Dawn Holden, Sarah Clark, Clare Taylor, Lucy Pearson, Clair Taylor, Helen Wardlaw and Laura Spragg. Coach: John Harmer.
Hours of play: 9.30 a.m. to 12.40 p.m. & 1.20 p.m. till end of play.
Umpires: Messrs. K. Murali & Pratap Kumar.
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