Heavyweights seek their best game yet in crucial showdown
On paper, Saturday's afternoon clash in Manchester was supposed to be the big game of the Group A stage, one that could potentially dictate the passage to the semis for two of the strong contenders for the World Cup. But both teams, who faced off in the 50-over World Cup final only a few months ago, have reached this stage of the ongoing competition in a far-from-comprehensive manner, still shaking off early tournament jitters.South Africa have lost to Australia, and in a bid to gain a massive Net Run Rate advantage, struggled their way past Pakistan. But India, despite two big wins, are far from the version they would like to present of themselves. Concerns are aplenty: the middle order - barring Richa Ghosh - hasn't come to the party, the No 5. is still a bit of a toss-up between Yastika Bhatia and Bharti Fulmali, and the bowling attack is now without the services of Shreyanka Patil, one of the team's best operators in the death.The uncapped Prema Rawat, drafted into the team as Shreyanka's replacement, had a long stint in the nets on Thursday, the morning of her arrival. However, Aavishkar Salvi, the bowling coach, has backed Radha Yadav - the team's other spin option - to come good if presented with an opportunity. Radha had a fairly productive range-hitting session a day ahead of the match, tonking some long sixes - especially over deep cover region. Even as her bowling stocks have gone down over the past few years, given her record against South Africa (16 wickets at 15.81), she could be a useful addition to the line-up, that would also be aided by her batting muscle at No. 8.South Africa have concerns of their own - from their inability to stitch partnerships to the struggles with rotating the strike, and troubles against spin. The return of Shabnim Ismail has added some venom to their bowling attack, but they would need stronger contributions from the batters.Now heading into the crucial clash, there is no time to think through all that is not working or all the mistakes they've made. "We can't really focus on all the bad that we've done...making sure that we understand the plan ahead of us. We know that destiny is in our hands right now," Chloe Tryon asserted.What to expect: It's a fresh pitch, not the slower one that was used in the previous two games at this venue. Moreover, it is central to all sides of the boundary - approximately 62 metres. While scoring was a bit challenging in the previous games, India's bowling coach isn't sure how the conditions might play given the unpredictability of the weather in Manchester.India: Legspinner Prema Rawat has come in as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil, who has been ruled out of the World Cup. She had a long practice session in the nets on Thursday, with both bat and ball. She could be in contention for a place in the side, competing with Radha Yadav - both of whom also add value as fielders and with the bat."We all know the kind of quality Radha brings to the bowling unit. It's only a matter of getting an opportunity. The kind of opportunity she has got on this tour, she has performed over there. It's just the team combination that we are looking up into. She adds a different dynamic when it comes to fielding. When it comes to batting as well, she's a contributor. [If] She gets that opportunity, we are very confident that will perform to the kind of potential she has. The work ethic she's showing and the way she is practicing each and every day and taking those practice sessions in a way where she's developing session by session" - Aavishkar Salvi, India's bowling coach."[We] didn't start the competition the way we wanted to, but just wanting to play to our full capabilities. We know what the team can bring, the brand of cricket that we play is very aggressive. We can't really focus on what has happened elsewhere. Probably haven't played our best cricket. Still got over the line against Pakistan, but still a little bit nervy." - Chloe Tryon, South African all-rounder.
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