Harbajhan Fit for Secod match ag Aussies!

Last Updated: Monday, 1 October 2007, 08:00 GMT 09:00 UK
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Harbhajan fit for Australia match
SECOND ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL, KOCHI
Play starts Tuesday 0430 BST

Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh is an important bowler in one-dayers
India spinner Harbhajan Singh has returned to fitness and will hope to gain selection in the second one-dayer against Australia in Kochi on Tuesday.

Harbhajan missed the rain-ruined first match in Bangalore but has recovered from a neck strain.

Sourav Ganguly (hamstring) will be replaced by Robin Uthappa, though the latter must pass a fitness test.

Tuesday's match is also threatened by the weather, a heavy shower on Monday following days of monsoon rains.

If play does get under way, Australia will hope their skipper Ricky Ponting can take his place.

He was another to miss out in Bangalore, having suffered a hamstring injury at the World Twenty20.

"Ponting is progressing very well," Gilchrist told reporters on Monday.


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"He was very close to playing in Bangalore. He has a good chance of playing without necessarily being a certain starter."

Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken should be available after a quick visit to Sydney for the birth of his first child.

Ganguly, 35, limped off the ground while fielding during Saturday's first match in Bangalore which was washed out with India on 9-1 chasing Australia's 307-7.

Scans revealed no serious injury and he is expected to take the field in the third game in Hyderabad on Friday.

Indian fast bowler Sree Santh, who took three wickets in Bangalore, is aiming for a a five-wicket haul on his home ground.

Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly has hit 1,024 runs in 24 one-day games this year

He said: "Sachin [Tendulkar] has achieved it here twice. I would love to achieve the same."

Sreesanth has dismissed Matthew Hayden in the last two India-Australia encounters.

But he said: "Hayden is not the only batsman in the Aussie team. All the wickets in any match are important."

Indian team manager Lalchand Rajput said his team would not allow Australia to dominate the verbal exchanges on the field.

"We have to give it back to them. The strategy is clear. If they throw stones, they'll get them back. We'll fight fire with fire," he said.

With a wet outfield at the ground, and more rain forecast, play could be limited.

Gilchrist said: "It's a tricky situation, and all reports are that there is going to be no chance and rain will keep coming.

"You've got to be careful not to totally switch off and almost get into a holiday mode and all of a sudden be out there to play a one-day international."

However the pitch has been unaffected by the conditions and is likely to favour batting if the match takes place.