September 25 Wednesday 2002
India's in-form batsmen face Proteas pace test today

COLOMBO: India's in-form batsmen face a stern pace test as they aim for a repeat semifinal victory over South Africa at the ICC Champions Trophy on Wednesday (today).

India beat South Africa by 95 runs in the semifinals in Nairobi two years ago to finish runners-up and will once again look to their batsmen, opener Virender Sehwag in particular, for inspiration. The explosive Sehwag slammed 126 against England on Sunday, bringing the 12-team event alive with his clean hitting during an eight-wicket win.

South African skipper Shaun Pollock said the depth of the Indian batting would be a huge challenge. "He batted superbly well against England," the fast bowler said. "We got to make sure we bowl well and I believe we have got the personnel."

India take on the 1998 winners confident of having shed their tag of poor chasers by twice achieving challenging targets against England. Pollock said the match would be a clash between two confident sides but felt his eleven had the ability to go all the way. "It should be a great game at the business end of the tournament," he said.

With flat pitches offering little help to the bowlers, India seem to hold an edge in the day-night clash at the Premadasa Stadium. South Africa also had injury worries, with all-rounder Nicky Boje and fast bowler Alan Dawson having only a "50-50" chance of playing, coach Eric Simons said.

Boje is nursing a hairline finger fracture, while Dawson is struggling with a calf injury. Fast bowler Steve Elworthy and uncapped all-rounder Robin Peterson, who have arrived as cover, besides batsman Justin Ontong, who bowls spin, are in the reckoning.

Both teams will be keen to take first strike as the pitches are increasingly showing signs of slowing. India's concerns centre on their poor bowling in the later stages of the innings during both their league wins, with spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh subdued.

"We just have to bowl better. We have done it before," Ganguly said, voicing his concern after Zimbabwe recovered from 14 for 2 and England from 7 for 2 during their league meetings.

Simons said: "We watched their game against England with a lot of interest. There are areas we have to explore, their bowling and our batting.

"We are a good all-round side, the balance of our side is a bit better."

South Africa have eased into the last four after starting with a last-ball victory over the West Indies chasing 239. Openers Herschelle Gibbs (116) and left-hander Graeme Smith (69) then revealed their form in a 159-run stand which saw South Africa thrash Kenya by 176 runs to top their pool.

Their only batting concern is the diminishing effectiveness of Lance Klusener, but Pollock said the all-rounder was still capable of late surges to turn games around.

India (likely): Sourav Ganguly (capt), Virender Sehwag, Venkat Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra.

South Africa (from): Shaun Pollock (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Jonty Rhodes, Boeta Dippenaar, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, Justin Ontong, Steve Elworthy, Nicky Boje, Alan Dawson.

Umpires: David Shepherd & Russel Tiffin. TV umpire: Daryl Harper. ICC match referee: Ranjan Madugalle.