Problems Aplenty

How the fielding and bowling fares on Thursday will obviously be pivotal in the result but surely none of these can work unless the motivation levels in the Indian dressing room are high

MANCHESTER: Two unusual events preceding the fourth one-day international provided interesting insights on how the Indian team management was addressing the problems afflicting the side: one showed direct action, the second a dose of lament-cum-philosophy.

Monday afternoon, Robin Singh had a special three-hour session for the players. After a horrid week in which several catches had been dropped and countless runs conceded through slip-shod work, the beleaguered fielding coach had no choice but to put the players through the grind. Whether this was too little too late remains to be seen, but at least the crisis had been acknowledged.

On Tuesday after nets, Venkatesh Prasad said in the press conference that the bowling coach should be consulted by the selectors before the team is chosen. "He doesn't have to choose the players, but his input would be vital,'' said Prasad, which indicated that he was not entirely happy with the fitness and form of his wards. Crisis number 2 had also been identified.

Trailing 1-2, with four matches remaining, India's task gets more difficult with every passing day, which is why a win at Old Trafford becomes crucial. How the fielding and bowling fares on Thursday will obviously be pivotal in the result - assuming of course, that the highly rated batting will click big time - but surely none of these can work unless the motivation levels in the Indian dressing room are high.

Most experts had reckoned that the one-day series would be a cakewalk for Rahul Dravid's team, given England's astonishingly mediocre record in limited overs cricket for the past 15 years. But this series has played out quite the opposite as yet, largely because the team is struggling to sustain its form of the first half of the tour.

Dravid's job is clear cut, and yet not. As captain he has not done too much wrong, except the boo-boo in fielding first at Edgbaston, but frankly he has been hampered by tired bowlers and fielders who could be out of the Indian team of the 50s. So what does the beleaguered captain do?

In terms of tactics for Old Trafford, the captain might be compelled to bring in Robin Uthapa in place of the fifth bowler. A defensive move in theory, but this could give a fillip to the batting (which didn't particularly distinguish itself at Edgbaston) and simultaneously improve the fielding, as one from Munaf or Powar - both laggards - would have to sit out. That still leaves a few more slops to hide, but there is no indication that the team management is willing to experiment with the youngsters on the reserves bench just yet.

Dravid would be tempted to retain Powar, whose clever off-spin has had the English batsmen in knots, but Old Trafford is traditionally a seamer's wicket, and Munaf, all said and done, has not bowled badly. It's a tough call for the skipper.

England have had their share of alarms in this series, what with Flintoff missing the third match, and Collingwood reporting ill on the eve of the fourth.

By Tuesday evening, however, both were ready for battle. Their experience will be vital, but the major threats for India in this series have been James Anderson's late swing and Ian Bell's spanking straight bat. The two youngsters, reveling in their success and newfound star status, were in their element at nets.

Dravid's luck with the toss has been spectacular so far, but considering the dodgy weather in Manchester, he might be happier not having to make a decision. Indeed, the Indian captain would gladly trade his luck with the coin to some in the field. He needs it badly.