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Get set for a bowlers bloodbath in Kanpur
Amlan Chakraborty
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November 10, 2007 18:18 IST

Bowlers cutting across sides can eat their heart out. The pitch doctor has issued an oracle, advising them not to have any illusion and rather come prepared for a bloodbath in the third India-Pakistan cricket one dayer in Kanpur on Sunday.

Hardly any ground has seen more uneven battle between the willow and leather and Shiv Kumar, who has been nurturing the 22-yard bowlers graveyard in the Green Park Stadium, has no good news to offer to the bowlers. In fact, he has a warning for them.

"I think Green Park is going to see the highest ever score here tomorrow. So far, it was India's 259 (against England [Images] in 1989), in which Chetan Sharma slammed his lone ODI century but I think we are in for 300-plus score tomorrow," Kumar told PTI.

He said one day cricket has to pander to the masses clamouring for soaring sixes and blazing boundaries. In such a scenario, bowlers should come with realistic targets, he said.

"We have worked on the bounce of the pitch and strokemakers would just love it," he said.

Last two nights, the pitch has been kept under cover to shield it from dew and batsmen can look forward to even bounce he said.

"The 68 percent clay component of the pitch means though it takes time for water to both seep in and dry out, we did not take a chance and want it in perfect shape before we hand it over to the umpires," Kumar said.

And he has a word of advice for Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] as well.

"In case he wins the toss, there should not be any second thought on inserting Pakistan. The pitch would have something for the pacers in the early hour and that would be the best time to make inroads," he said.

And even if Shoaib Malik [Images] wins the toss and puts India in, Kumar says Dhoni's men should not panic.

"Just be little careful in the first five and six overs. Just see through it and don't look at the run rate. Everything would be fine soon after."

And Dhoni should better heed Kumar's advice of fielding first. Last time India played here, Rahul Dravid [Images] ignored the curator's suggestion and decided to take first strike.

Soon, India slumped to 59 for four wickets before Dravid (86) and Mohammad Kaif (78) powered the side to 249 for six in 50 overs. And then, with no life left on the shirtfront, Shahid Afridi [Images] slaughtered the Indian bowlers and slammed a 45-ball century as Pakistan romped to a five-wicket triumph.

According to Kumar, Dhoni should go into the match with the lone spinner in Harbhajan Singh [Images].

"Having two spinners would be a luxury, which none can afford here. Though Murali Kartik is bowling well, Bhajji should play there."



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