A must win game for England and India at Perth in Carlton Mid Tri series 2015

India and England meet at Perth in a semi-final like clash despite England having won a group stage match against India with a bonus point. 

Washed out game at SCG provided India with the much needed life line and the team need to make the most of the opportunity.

Both England and India have been below par their potential in the tournament so far. Both the teams would be looking to make amends at Perth. 

For India bowling is a big concern. Even if the batsmen put on a handsome total, Indian bowling department lacks wicket taking bowlers while containing the batsmen.

Despite the pitch at Perth traditionally supporting the bowlers, I personally think the team should go in with four bowlers, as this is not a game to experiment with the combination, but to go for an all out win. So going in with the best of  ability should be the option. 

Though England batting is not as strong as India's on the paper, Indian bowling still lack the control and the ability to provide crucial break through at regular intervals.

In Melbourne India lost wickets early and that held back the team to post on a big total, the team should prepare for alternative techniques while batting on fast and bouncy pitches. 

Steve Smith and Dave Warner present the most solid technique one should have, while batting in Aussie conditions. 

Smith shuffles around the stumps and doesn't allow the bowler to attack his off stump, and with his elegant stroke play on the on-side, he is a nightmare for the bowlers. 

Warner on the other hand, no matter how good length you bowl at him, just finds a way to drive through the covers given slightest of width from the bowler.

Indian batsmen should adapt to the conditions fast and be at their best at attacking the poor balls and leaving alone the good ones. That's one area that Indian batsmen could improvise in on this tour.

The way Rohit Sharma batted at Melbourne had given India much relief as he was short of runs on this tour, but his injury is a concern for India in run up to the World Cup 2015, hopefully he recovers fully in time for warm up games. 

Virat Kohli has remained quiet in the tri-series so far. Ajinkya Rahane didn't look like staying on for longer duration at crease.  

And Shikhar Dhawan's form is a concern for the team, the opener is having a lean patch at the top. In my view he is still the best opener India can play despite his nagging form.

In the bowling department, I would prefer India should go in with Umesh, Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Ashwin.

 England on the other hand has risen up to the occasion and posted the first 300 plus total of the tournament at the picturesque Bellerive Oval, Hobart, courtesy a well crafted hundred by an in form Ian Bell. 

English camp also has experienced bowlers in James Anderson and Stuart Board. And most importantly Steven Finn is among the wickets for England.

The match should be an ideal preparation for the up coming World Cup 2015 for both the teams. 
  
The pitch at Perth at WACA is known for fast conditions with bounce and carry. 

Here's a web link providing some details of the WACA pitch in Perth

Perth Pitch Report by Sporting Life.com 

Another web link to the WACA stadium.

WACA.com.au 

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