The toss will be vital

The first Test is now over and although almost a day and a half was lost to the weather, by then, almost everyone had been resigned to the fact that it was heading for a draw. On the most docile pitch in the Caribbean, the two teams, after a few initial problems against the new ball, showed off their batting prowess, amassing almost 900 runs for the loss of just 17 wickets. The story of bowlers toiling away without much reward and batsmen preening themselves at this venue, continued as the 28th Test played at Bourda produced three more centuries, including a double, taking the total to 53 centuries scored at the centre, while the number of five-wicket hauls remained at a meagre 19.

It could be and should be a different story here at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad. Two days before the scheduled start, the pitch is looking a lot more bowler friendly, with a generous quantity of grass on the surface. Moreover, recent history suggests there will be a result in this second test -- the last five have produced results at this venue of which the West Indies have won only two.

Both teams looked a bit tentative in the first encounter, probably just sparring at each other, trying to find weak spots in the opposition. That is usually the situation when teams are a bit low in confidence, as both teams are at the moment. The West Indies for one, haven’t been doing too well recently and although they have a much better record at home than away, they lost their last home series and certainly didn’t want to start this series off on the wrong foot. India, on the other hand, were without their match winner, Harbhajan ‘Turbanator’ Singh and don’t have an impressive away record.

It is now time for attitudes to change. Both teams have potential for change as Harbhajan is now fit to regain his place and his return coinciding with the venue that India last won a Test in the Caribbean should be enough to influence a more positive outlook from Captain Sourav Ganguly. Sunil Gavaskar, one of the architects of that great victory when India chased over 400 runs in their last innings and achieved it with consummate ease, is here as part of the TV commentary team. He no doubt could be called in for help with India’s mental preparation.

The West Indies meanwhile could institute a change in their bowling attack. Mahendra Nagamootoo, although only taking one wicket in Guyana, could not be considered to have failed and undeserving of his place in the final eleven but there are doubts surrounding his fitness. The bowler-friendly nature of the pitch, towards seam bowling at least, could see the West Indies going into this Test with four fast bowlers, which would mean the inclusion of Marlon Black along with Dillon, Cuffy and Sanford.

That would of course further weaken the lower order batting but the emphasis must now be placed on bowling the opposition out, that is taking 20 wickets. The form of the batsmen in Guyana should encourage the selectors and the fact that Lara, though unfortunate, failed, should give them the confidence to go into this important Test with the aforementioned ineup.

In the first Test, the toss was not that important, this one will be vital. The West Indies if they go in with the four fast bowlers, will be desperate to win the toss and insert India. They will want to take advantage of whatever preparation moisture is left in the pitch, along with the generous quantity of grass on the surface. India, even with Harbhajan Singh back in the eleven, will remember the start Javagal Srinath gave them in Guyana and will be anxious to win the toss as well. It will be very interesting to watch the face of the losing Captain when that toss is spun early Friday morning.

Earlier Columns:
- India start favourites

- Gameplan

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