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India, South Africa set to
play series decider today
Kanpur (India)—South Africa are ready to hand India only their third
home test series defeat in two decades when the third and final test
begins on Friday, captain Graeme Smith said.
The tourists lead 1-0 after crushing India by an innings and 90 runs
on a lively pitch in the second test in Ahmedabad, a victory that
brought them close to claiming an Asian treble after wins in
Pakistan in November and Bangladesh last month.
Victory in India would be the high point of the season so far before
the tours of England and Australia later this year, Smith told
reporters.
“We’ve been comfortable throughout the season, whether it has been
in Pakistan, Bangladesh or here,” he said. “It’s just about doing
the same things we have shown the whole season.
“We are the team (close to) winning all three series in the
sub-continent in one year. It will be a fantastic achievement.”
“As a team we have looked for this opportunity for the whole season.
We have got a few major tours coming up this season and India is the
first of those challenges.”
India have been hit by injuries before the Kanpur test with captain
Anil Kumble doubtful while batsman Sachin Tendulkar has already been
ruled out.
The visitors are thus confident of securing a series win that would
enable them to displace India as the world’s second-ranked test team
behind Australia.
Referring to South Africa’s success in India in 2000 and Australia’s
triumph four years later, Smith said: “How many teams? It’s two in
20 years that have won a series in India.”
“It just proves how tough it really is.
Smith said his batsmen will be key again, having repeatedly shown
their skill to play spin, while their bowlers will prove difficult
to face on a dry pitch expected to crumble easily.
Hashim Amla and opener Neil McKenzie struck centuries in the drawn
first test while Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, who hit 217 not
out, reached triple figures in Ahmedabad.
“We’re definitely the more confident team going into this test
match, definitely the team under less pressure,” said Smith.
“India are still the team with more question marks in terms of
selection, injuries and their being 1-0 down in the series.”
South Africa may consider playing a second spinner by picking Robin
Peterson to partner fellow left-arm bowler Paul Harris to counter
the spin-friendly pitch.
“Whether we’re going with an extra spinner or not, we have the
options. We’ve played the far more determined cricket on this tour,”
added Smith. “We have shown greater intensity and hunger to
win.”—Agencies
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