Team India hopes to avenge ODI defeat in Test series

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

St. John's, Antigua, Jun 1 (UNI) Smarting from the ODI series defeat, a wounded Team India would be eyeing a revenge in the longer version of the game as Rahul Dravid's men kick-off their Test campaign at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) tomorrow, hoping to register their first series win over the West Indies since 1970-71.

And while the hosts dished out slow and low pictches in the one dayers, a bouncy and lively track awaits Team India in the first Test.

Having won the one day series comprehensively, West Indies look forward to continue their winning run in the Test series too. India, on the other hand, is struggling to fix the right combination as the behaviour of pitch and pedestrian form of seamers continue to intrigue the team management.

ARG has been witness to many a historical moments before. It was on this ground that Brian Lara played the epic innings of 375. And when this world record score was broken by Matthew Hayden, Lara returned to the same ground to score 400 and get back his world record.

It was on this same ground that 'King' Vivian Richards blasted the fastest Test century in 56 balls.

Indian team, fresh after a two-day practice match, have woken up to their bowling woes. Irfan Pathan looked out of sorts in the practice match that has caused enough worries in the team. Coach Greg Chappell and bio-mechanic expert Ian Frazer worked with the left-arm seamer for one hour after the match trying to sort out the right length for him.

While Irfan was made to look pedestrian in the side game, the other seamers too hardly inspire any confidence in the team that they are capable of running through a side.

Frontline spinner Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, however, have bowled well but this seems to be a pitch where the faster ones of the trade would have more impact. Problems are compounded for coach Chappell and the Australian said, ''Some of the bowlers are not in form, so it is a bit difficult to pick the team here. We would have a long discussion in the evening and decide on the combination. We need to sort out whether we are playing five bowlers.'' More UNI XC AY DB1135

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