Gavaskar to open

Press, 10 January 1981, Page 48

Gavaskar to open

INZPA-Reuter Melbourne The Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar, last evening confirmed that he will return to the opening posiiion for today’s Benson and Hedges World Series Cup match against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “I think it is pretty certain that I will be opening,” Gavaskar said. The quietly spoken Indian captain seems unperturbed by the nine wicket thrashing handed to his team by Australia in Sydney on Thursday. 1

•, With the pain of that 1] match still fresh in their -I minds the Indians face a >1 daunting prospect on the r[much criticised Melbourne s'pitch. 11 “It is a month since we ’ played here but at that time the wicket was a pretty un- - even one,” Gavaskar said. * “There has been a lot of i talk since then but as yet ilwe haven’t had a chance to lisee it so we will just have ’[to have a look and decide -ithen how to play the game.” - Today’s match is vital for iboth India and New Zealand

with the Indians on six points and New Zealand on four, both trailing Australia’s eight points. The previous India-New Zealand clashes have resulted in close, exciting cricket and there is no reason to as sume that today’s match will be any different. New Zealand are to re-assert their class after two three day Test losses to Australia. The New Zealand team will be announced later this morning.