Smith's hopes on pitch

LONG TIME NO SEE: Recalled India batsman Mohammad Kaif (C) exercises with teammates during a training session in Ahmedabad yesterday. Kaif is returning to India's Test team after 21 months for the second match against South Africa which starts today.Photo: AFP

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is hoping the pitch for the second Test against India this week will be far more responsive than the benign strip provided in the series opener in Chennai.
Last week, India opener Virender Sehwag smashed the fastest triple century in Test history on a flat track that left the pace-oriented attack of the visitors frustrated in the high-scoring draw.
South Africa's top order also shone with opener Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla scoring centuries and Smith cracking 73, but the match looked set for a draw as early as the third morning.
"All cricketers want to see a good cricket wicket." Smith told a news conference on Wednesday.
"One with a good balance between bat and ball," he added.
According to the curator of the Ahmedabad ground, the pitch is likely to be responsive when the match starts on Thursday, raising South Africa's hopes of executing their plan to restrict the aggressive batting of Sehwag.
On Tuesday, South Africa coach Micky Arthur said the tourists may resort to fast, short-pitched bowling directed into the body of the India opener.
"We are obviously looking for a little more help (from the pitch)," Smith said.
"The wicket does look good... looks different from the Chennai wicket," he added.
When quizzed about the plan designed to curb Sehwag, Smith said: "I think you always assess things as a team.
"Certainly we have the attack to be able to use that. The pitch will last too we hope," he added.
Smith said his team would look to build on the newfound confidence in tackling India's experienced spin bowlers after rallying to draw the first Test.
"Out of the last game, India probably have a few more things to think about than what we do in terms of combination, in terms of the selections of bowlers," Smith said.
"So their answer is to answer our challenges, to make sure we come back down to neutral."
Injury-hit India are sweating over the fitness of captain Anil Kumble for the crucial match.
Talismanic batsman Sachin Tendulkar is ruled out of the game with a groin injury and there are injury concerns over fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Rudra Pratap Singh.
Smith said Kumble's unavailability would be a big loss for India.
"You lose a real competitor, someone who can really change a game... make a difference to the game," he said of the experienced leg-spinner.
The visitors are chasing an Asian treble after winning a Test series in Pakistan last year and in Bangladesh in March.
Smith said in all likelihood he would go into the middle leg of the three-Test series with the same combination that played in the first Test.
"As long as we get our execution right, we can win," he said.