Test previews / Ed Hawkins / 11 February 2010 / 1

India are up to their old tricks again as they prepare for the second Test at Eden Gardens on Sunday. Ed Hawkins says punters, and the visitors, should eye the surface with caution.

Team news
With less balance than an elephant on the high wire in the first Test against South Africa, India suffered the crushing disappointment of an innings defeat in Nagpur. For the second and final Test at Eden Gardens (starts Sunday 03.45GMT), they have sought to avoid another clumsy show.

Suresh Raina has been drafted in as a proper reserve batsman after Wriddhiman Saha, a wicketkeeper, played as batsman only because VVS Laxman failed a fitness test. Laxman will play although India's priority must be to take 20 wickets and they may find room for Sreesanth, the irksome fast bowler, to give them a fifth genuine bowling option.

South Africa have no reason to make any changes. Paul Harris' four wickets at chicken feed sees him standing straight for the first time in months after the load of pressure on his shoulders was released.

Match odds
One could be forgiven for blushing at the bare-faced cheek of the market for pricing India as short as [3.20]. The thinking must surely be that India cannot be as bad again and that they will be given a helping hand by the curator at Eden Gardens. We nod in respect at both arguments.

India have not lost two home Tests in a row since 2000, albeit against South Africa. Indeed, they are dangerous after a defeat. In five Tests following a loss at home they have a record of three wins and two draws.

The stats aside, India must find a way to fend off the wrecking ball that is Dale Steyn, who, fully fit, is the most dangerous fast bowler in the world. England must be thanking their lucky stars he was not firing at the start of the year. A 10-wicket haul for Steyn exposed India's batting to brutal pace and late swing for the first time in many a moon. Can they adjust quickly enough?

Possibly. But do not forget that South Africa, [4.20] will bat, bat and bat some more if they get the chance. There will be no declaration around the 550-run mark this time. That makes the draw appeal at [2.18] for traders as it is likely to have collapsed by lunch on day one. Still, don't be afraid to take big prices because of concerns over the durability of the surface.

Pitch conditions
South Africa could be forgiven for eyeing the Eden Gardens surface from behind the sofa. The last time they led 1-0 in India - in 2008 - the home board ordered an outrageous surface which crumbled to the extent which allowed India to win by eight wickets and be reprimanded by the ICC.

The hosts have been up to their old shenanigans with the groundsman reporting that he has been asked to prepare a turner. "I don't know how we can change the nature of the strip overnight," he said.

The average first-innings score in the last five Tests is 426 and there have been results in seven of the last 10. South Africa were skittled in Kolkata in 2004 with Harbhajan Singh claiming seven third-innings wickets.

Top batsman
The returning Laxman, [5.60] is a sight for punters. A century on his last outing at Eden Gardens and an average of 81 - which towers above his teammates' respective records - is the stuff of value for formbook students. Sachin Tendulkar, [4.40], averages 45 and poor old Gautam Gambhir just 15. For South Africa, it would be folly to oppose either Hashim Amla, [5.10] or Jacques Kallis, [4.40], after their double and single centuries set up the win. Kallis hit three figures on this ground in 2004.

Featured market
Laxman will be available to back to score a 50 with around [2.50] the value price.

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1. guest | 24 February 2010

   has the author eaten his words yet

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