Weather a worry in deciding India-New Zealand T20
ESPNcricinfo's preview of the second Twenty20 between India and New Zealand in Chennai
Match facts
September 11, 2012Start time 1900 local (1330 GMT)
Big Picture
A phrase that has found its way into cricket jargon of late is "controlling the controllables". One thing neither team, the fans or the organisers have been able to control is the rain. It has been an unwelcome visitor is all three matches on the tour so far, more so in Visakhapatnam, where thousands made their way to witness the city's first Twenty20 international and Yuvraj Singh's comeback from cancer. Southern India has been hit by showers over the last few weeks, and the venue for the final T20, Chennai, has had its share of rain too. The weather has reduced the Twenty20 series to a one-match shoot-out. Both teams will agree that even a completed T20, without interruptions, won't count as sufficient match practice ahead of the World T20. Much then would depend on the two warm-up games in Sri Lanka before the big event.Form guide (Completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand LLLLWIndia WLWLL
Watch out for
He may have slipped slightly as a wicket-taker in Tests, but Daniel Vettori has plenty to offer in T20s as a containing bowler, as his economy rate of 5.36 in 28 T20s indicates. With Jacob Oram, who kept batsmen quiet in the SLPL with an economy rate of 3.82, Vettori will be called on to squeeze the runs.Team news
L Balaji showed up for the pre-match press conference, but was non-committal over the team combination or whether he would play.Pitch and conditions
There have been showers in Chennai late in the evenings. India managed to practice, but it reportedly rained after 4pm on the eve of the game. The forecast is for cloudy weather on match day.Stats and trivia
- The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will be hosting its first Twenty20 international.
- Chennai had its share of high-scoring games during the 2012 IPL, with a season run-rate of 8.01. Super Kings' 222 for 5 against Delhi Daredevils in Chennai was the highest team score for the tournament.
- In the 2012 IPL, spinners accounted for 33 wickets in Chennai, second only behind Eden Gardens (34).
Quotes
"We're quite strong in the spin department, as well, in the current T20 setup. If you look at the experience we have got and the destructiveness we have with bat and ball, it [the shorter format of the game] does suit us."Brendon McCullum says New Zealand have the skills to perform better in T20s
L Balaji says he is ready to make a comeback to international cricket
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo