The onus is on Ishant and Sreesanth, both with the bat and with the ball on the third day.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Kanpur Test: Dos and Don'ts for Day 3
India:
Dos:
Extend the lead:
The overnight tailend duo of Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma must look to push the first innings lead beyond the 50-run mark.
Take quick wickets with new ball:
India need Ishant to repeat his 1st innings heroics. © AFP
The likes of Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth hold the responsibility to rattle quick wickets with the new ball with the lead still lingering over the Proteas batsmen.
The ‘Turbanator’ factor:
Harbhajan Singh is the lethal weapon for Dhoni to rip through the Proteas batting line-up on a deteriorating day 3 Kanpur track.
Don’ts:
Must not let Proteas get off to a great start:
The hosts must not let Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie get off to a good start and overcome the lead in quick time.
Don’t let SA pass the 150 mark:
The Indians must look to dismiss South Africa cheaply in the second and try and set themselves a target of under 150 runs to chase.
South Africa:
Wipe off the slender lead:
The Proteas must look to take the last wicket quickly and try to clear off the slim Indian first innings lead without losing any wicket.
Watchfulness is the key:
The South African top order needs to come to the party again. © AFP
The South African top-order holds the responsibility to be extremely vigilant while tackling the Indian spin duo on a deteriorating third day track and push for a competitive total.
Don’ts:
Must not get bogged down:
South African batters must not let the Indian bowlers overhaul them and slow down their progress towards a sizeable total to defend in the final innings.
