Story The Natwest Pentangular 2005 -- Begins April 24th

Who will win the Natwest Pentangular?


  • Total voters
    28
Key Players :

Key Players In The Finals : SpoNsored By
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Australia :

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Adam Gilchrist and Matty Hayden :
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The world`s most dreaded opening duo would be hoping for a start similar to the one they got in the World Cup Finals in 2003 . The two have been in unstoppable form in the Natwest Pentangular notching up many a useful partnerships . Much would depend on how the Indian opening bowlers bowl to the rampaging duo .
Glen Mcgrath :
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The lean mean bowling machine would be a key to how the aussies bowl to the Little Master and Co. He has been not at his best in the tournament but as we all know , he is a big match player .

Bret Lee :
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The aussie speedster has a love for speaking Hindi but not for batsmen who speak it . He has ben fast and accurate as ever and would be the biggest threat to the famed Indian batting lineup .

Ricky Ponting :
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The Aussie captain loves the Indian bowling and he signaled his intentions in the 20-20 contest at Southampton scoring a 14 ball fifty . The Indians would have not forgotten Punter`s hundred in the finals of the world cup to demoralize the Indians .

INDIA :
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Sachin Tendulkar :
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It has been said time and again that the Little Man is the key to India`s success against the World Champions . He is one of those players who relishes facing them . He has been in one of his best patches of form in this tournament scoring 2 hundreds and many useful scores . I India are to avenge the World Cup 2003 Finals defeat, this man has to fire .


Virender Sehwag :
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Everybody knows how dangerous a batsman `The Sultan Of Multan` is ! He was in superb hitting form in th home series against Pakistan but an ankle injury in the early stages of the series saw him miss the bus to most matches of the Pentangular . The Indian think-tank would hope that he fires in this comeback match from injury but it would be difficult .

Sourav Ganguly :
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This man had been facing criticism for almost an year . He missed the first two matches due to them ban and then came back without the pressures of captaincy . Eventhough he has not scored a century in the series , he has looked a part scoring 40s and 50s in this series (H.S being his 65 against Australia in the 20-20) . He has once again proved to be a dangerous combination with Sachin . If one has to go by What Greg Chappel says, he might open with Sachin even if Sehwag returns .

Irfan Pathan and L.Balaji :
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These two young p;acemen emerged as superstars in Pakistan in 2004 . Since then it has been a tough rie for both facing injuries and bad form . Balaji has looked impressive and has picked up important wickets in the series . Irfan Pathan has bowled well in patches notably against England when he took 3 crucial wickets to take India home and Balaji showed that he can bowl under pressure in the last over versus England . Much of India`s fortunes would depend on how the 2 pacemen perform against Gilchrist,Ponting and Co. India would hope that they do better than what their fellow pacemen Z.Khan managed in th WC 2003 finals !

WILL THE KANGAROO PROVE TO BE TOO STRONG OR WILL THE PROWLING TIGER HAVE ITS PREY !

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Saurav Ganguly To Captain India in the Finals

30th May 2005 Lords , London

The Indian team management announced that Sourav Ganguly would be leading the Indian team in the finals of the Natwest Pentangular 2005 indpite of Rahul Dravid`s fine performance as captain in the series . Indian team manager stated that "Rahul was made captain till the time Sourav regained his batting form and to relieve him of the pressures and Sourav and Rahul both agreed to the team`s decision . Rahul has performed admirably well in the series and Sourav has done well over the years. The team management including Rahul felt that it would be ideal if Sourav regained his captaincy ahead of the big game to prove a statement that he is still one of India`s most important players . Sourav , many would remember leading India to a win over England in the Natwest Series in 2002 at Lords . "
 
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"Australia have the Psychological edge" : Ponting


The Aussies, known for their psychological warfare have begun one before the big finals at Lords to be played tomorrow . Ricky Ponting , the Australian captain said " Australia have the edge over India in the finals . We`ve beaten them in quite a few finals in the recent past and there is no reason why we cannot do it again . WE bgan the tournamen poorly whereas India did superbly at the start but by the end of the league series , we were clearly the better side ! Having said that , we do not underestimate the talent in the Indian side and their ability to turn it around on their day ".

In response to that Indian captain Rahul Dravid said " We agree that we are the underdogs . They are a champion side but it does not mean that we cannot beat them . It takes one good day to win the Natwest Pentangular . Add to that our superb record at Lords, we do have a decent chance . We`ve won all the finals we`ve played at Lords . Hopefully we can do it again, We`ll all find out at Lords tomorrow "

INDIA V AUSTRALIA IN FINALS
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1984-85 Rothmans Trophy [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sharjah I[/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]nd-3 wkts[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1985-86 B & H WSC [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sydney [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aust-11 runs[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1985-86 B& H WSC [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Melbourne [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aust-7 wkts[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1991-92 B&H World Series [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Melbourne [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aust-88 runs[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1991-92 B&H World Series [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sydney [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aust- 6 runs[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1997-98 Pepsi Series [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Delhi [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aust- 4 wkts[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1997-98 Coca Cola Cup [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sharjah [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ind - 6 wkts[/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]2002-03 ICC World Cup [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Johannesburg [/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Aust- 125 runs[/font]
2003-2004 TVS Cup Kolkata Aust-33 runs
2003-2004 VB Series Melbourne Aust 8 wkts
2003-2004 VB Series (Final 2) Sydney Aust
 
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Interview With Greg Chappel

Ravi Shastri : Greg, your first series as India`s coach and the team is now about to play one of the most high-profile finals . India V Australia at Lords . How are the boys preparing for the match ?
Greg : Each one in the team has a different way of preparing .They are relaxed . We had a Short practise session in the morning . Rahul and Sachin had a few running excercises and a nets session . Sehwag who is returning from an injury had a light net session as well . The bowlers did a bit of swimming . Overall they seemed relaxed .
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Ravi : Ricky Ponting has said that Australia have the psychological edge over India in finals . Any reaction to that ?
Greg : Iam surprised he said that . We`ve run them pretty close in this series. WE may have lost to them in a few finals in the past but that does not matter now . Its a new game and we are ready for the challenge.

Ravi: Greg , Sehwag is back . Will he open ? Sourav had a good rapport developing with Sachin in the opening partnership .
Greg : We may open or we may not ! Its up to what the team management and the players feel comfortable with on the day of the game .

Ravi : Your bowling lineup . Tempted to go in with 2 spinners ?
Greg : Again , it depends on the pitch . We are blessed to have 2 spinners of the highest quality . If the pitch assists spin , we would give it a thought .

Ravi: What is your gut feeling ?
Greg : Iam an Indian coach so I would say India will win but frankly Australia start favorites ! The team which delivers under pressure will do better .
 
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Sourav Ganguly Interviewed

Ravi Shastri : Sourav , the Natwest Pentangular finals in just a few hours and you have been named captain of the side again . Are you surprised ?
Sourav : I think the media might be surprised but not the team . It was something we had decided before th tournament began .
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Ravi : Sourav , you seem to be getting back to form . Are you happy with the form ?
Sourav : Iam doing all right but not scoring the big ones. I hope I do it in the finals .

Ravi : Will you be opening the innings in the finals or will Sehwag open
Sourav : We`ll decide that before the match begins . As Greg said we`ll take a decision with which the team is comfortable.

Ravi : The Aussies beat you comprehensively in the World Cup 2003 finals and the nucleus of the Indian side remains the same even now . Are the guys keyed up to avenge the defeat ?
Sourav :They are keyed up but not to avenge anything . A world cup finals is a different occassion and a dfeat there can only be avenged in a world cup final .

Ravi . Good Luck Sourav .
Sourav : Thank you Ravi
 
India and Australia name their final XI !

This how the final eleven Will look like--
 

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Top Batsmen So FAr

He is a look at the top run getters in the Natwest Pentangular 2005 --
Adam Gilchrist is at the top with 595 runs from 8 games
 

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excllent presentation mate,

gilchrist and afridi look unstoppable
 
Crowds flock to Lords

With the match about to begin in just a few hours, crowds are beginning to flock to Lords from all sides . As expected a huge Indian contingent was seen outside the Lords stadium . Planetcricket caught up with one of them . Here is what they said " I was here when India beat England in the Natwest Final in 2002 and I could not but come again to watch India face the world champs in this great venue . WE have a huge Indian contingent and be rest assured there will be a lot of noise when the match begins ! "

The Aussies were no less quiet either . Here is what some of them said " Aussie,Aussie Aussie ! The kangaroos will crush the tigers . We crushed Pakistan twice here at Lords and now its time for us to bring back mermories of the World Cup Finals for India. Go Gilly !!!!!!"

With the atmosphere so electric before the start of the match , one can expect some noise at Lords today !
 

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