'One-Dayers Will Be Bumper Draw'

The one-day series will be a bumper draw because of the backdrop of the tremendous four Tests fought between India andAustralia in the present summer. It is developing into a fantastic rivalry. And lest anyone forgets, these two teamsare the World Cup finalists! It brings the extra zing to the contests.

Both the teams would have been left dissatisfied with the Test series as the result was inconclusive. Such isthe nature of one-day cricket that results are a certainty.

Australia would certainly be looking to make a point in the one-day series. The likes of Adam Gilchrist who failed inthe Tests would play as if to prove a point. It is amazing how so many people who have lost form suddenly get it back viaone-day cricket.

The Indians executed their plans against Gilchrist superbly in the Test series. It might be different inthe Tests because I have noticed Gilchrist enjoys the challenge of opening in one-day cricket from Tests where he comes at number seven.

He would be determined, a la Sachin Tendulkar, to leave his stamp on the Australian summer, such is the stuff champions are made of.They react to flaks in the strongest possible manner and Gilchrist would be no different. 

One-day cricket would further suit Australia in terms of bowling. It is a different mindset for one-day games. Somebodylike Brett Lee, who has not done well in Tests, would be gritting his teeth to get his respect back. In one-dayers, youknow you are bowling only 10 overs and you do not need to space out your energy and resources. It would be a big change.

Nathan Bracken would also look to command respect though he would be missing the first few games because of injury.

There are hosts of part-time bowlers like Andrew Symonds, Neil Harvey and Michael Bevan who could all mix well. 

They would be up against an Indian batting line up which has come of age in this present tour. They are hunting as apack instead of relying on one-off effort from their line-up.

They look extremely dangerous and destructive from the bowlers' point of view. But there would be a subtle change inthe one-day arena. The fields would be more defensive than they were in the Tests. There would be singles to pick but big shotsnot always easy to manage which the Indians still prefer to an extent.

the Indians are good in taking the aerial route, the Sehwags, Tendulkars and Gangulys, though they did not need to do itmuch in the Tests because of attacking fields.

The Australians still would be required to really lift their fielding for they were found wanting in this area inthe Tests.

If I was the Indian captain, I would not ask Rahul Dravid to keep wickets. He is too valuable a batsman to be riskedwith wicket-keeping. It can hamstrung his performance, the pressure of performing dual roles.

As young Parthiv Patel showed in Sydney, he can score runs quickly. His wicketkeepingmight have been a letdown in the Tests but he has the potential and can serve India long. I believe he has been taking lessonsfrom Ian Healy.

Let us put it this way, if I was the Indian captain I would look for some specialist person than risk Dravid behind the stumps.

Zimbabwe, the third team in the competition, would be looking to cause an upset or two and they are quite capable ofdoing so. They have had good preparation for the one-day series, playing two hard-fought games against Australia A and Western Australia.

Though everyone expects India and Australia to compete in the one-day finals, Zimbabwe is perfectly capable ofcausing upset wins. They can work together as a team and are possibly the best fielding side in the competition. 

It happens with minnows for you do not tend to concentrate much on them and they sneak upon you withoutnotice.

Beware India and Australia -- Zimbabwe needs close attention.

PTI