The fourth and the final Test match between India and England will be played from August 18 and will be played at the Oval in London. England have already won the series by taking a 3-0 lead and will be looking to make it a one-sided rout, by winning all the four matches in the series as well. However, the Indians, more than the rout will be worried about the fact that if they lose the series 4-0 will be gone down to the fourth position in the Test match world.
Injuries have obviously been an issue in the series and it was no better as the side will now go into the fourth Test match without, in all probability the presence of Praveen Kumar. Praveen injured himself after bowling so many overs in the first three Test matches that it was only likely that even without the injury he would find it difficult to play the game because of sheer exhaustion.
On the other hand, the big question is whether he has anyone else to replace him in the squad. The answer is either Munaf Patel or RP Singh, but how match fit the two of them are is anyone's guess. Munaf hasn't played too many games since injuring himself in the West Indies, whereas RP Singh has only jsut landed in England and was never in the radar for the selection.
Interestingly, for the second time, it will be England who have injury issues as well, what with their best bowler, James Anderson feeling the grief of playing so many games. It remains to be seen whether he will make it through to the playing 11 but if he does not, Steven Finn or Graham Onions could replace him in the squad.
The pitch will be hard at Oval and life could be difficult for the Indians yet again.
No comments:
Post a Comment