India hope to go for the kill in series decider

BELFAST: With the series levelled 1-1, India will heavily depend on their star-studded batting line-up for a morale-boosting overseas series triumph as they go into the third and final cricket one dayer against South Africa here on Sunday.

The six-wicket victory in the second game on Friday has not only restored the balance in the three-match series but has also presented India with an ideal opportunity to revive their sagging fortunes following the World Cup debacle.

A viral bug and fitness problems to some key players took a toll on the Indians in the first game but Rahul Dravid has now found just the right combination to go for the kill against the South Africans, who also promised to field a full-strength squad.

Sachin Tendulkar, who has shown glimpses of his vintage form with scores of 99 and 93 in the series, will have to play a big role in the crucial game at Stormont where India will again miss the services of paceman S Sreesanth, who has not recovered from flu.

Ajit Agarkar, who had to sit out both the matches with cold and fever, was expected to be available for the game which will test India's ability to handle pressure in crunch situation.

The series-leveling victory on Saturday has not only strengthened the morale of Dravid's men, but also reaffirmed the team management's faith in the abilities of match-winners like Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Kaarthick.

Yuvraj impressed one and all with his all-round showing in the second game. The left-hander used his slow left-armers to great effect to capture three crucial wickets and then hit an unbeaten 49, sharing an unbroken stand of 85 with Kaarthick (32) to ensure India's win.

An elated Dravid acknowledged the value of Yuvraj in team.

"When we've done well over the last couple of years and the contribution of Yuvraj at the death has been vital," the India captain said.

Kaarthick, who is known as a cool customer in crunch situations, will also provide strength to the Indian batting order in the crucial game on Sunday.

Knowing well that the South Africans are vulnerable to spin bowling, Dravid is likely to continue with the two-pronged spin attack with Piyush Chawla and Ramesh Powar.

"The spinners bowled exceedingly well. They took wickets and contained South Africa to a reasonable total."

"We figured out that South African's don't enjoy spin in the last few overs and look for pace on the ball," Dravid said.

South Africa would like to field a full-strength side on Sunday which would ideally have seamer Dale Steyn, who was down with flu, and all-rounder Justin Kemp, nursing a leg injury.

"Dale's come a long way, while Kemp has been having treatment and hopefully, by Sunday we'll have a full squad to choose from," said South African captain Jacques Kallis.

"It all bodes well for Sunday's game. I think it is going to be a terrific game of cricket."

Despite Friday's defeat, Kallis was delighted with the performance of fringe players like opener Morne van Wyk, offie Thandi Tshabalala and all-rounder Vernon Philander.

On van Wyk, who played crucial innings in both the matches, Kallis said, "He's done well. Graeme's (Smith) been the one in the spot but when you've got guys putting pressure, there's no spot in any team that should be taken for granted."

With both the sides determined to give it their best, the Irish crowds are all set to get their money's worth in the rare Sunday fiesta.

Squads:
India: Rahul Dravid (c),  MS Dhoni, Ajit Agarkar, Ranadeb Bose, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Dinesh Kaarthick, Zaheer Khan, Rakesh Patel, Piyush Chawla, Ramesh Powar, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Rudra Pratap Singh, S Sreesanth, Sachin Tendulkar, Robin Uthappa, Arjun Yadav, Yuvraj Singh.

South Africa:  Jacques Kallis (c), Mark Boucher,  AB deVilliers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thandi Tshabalala, Morne van
Wyk.