Final Test will be a test of character for both teams

There are some times when the pitch plays a huge role in the outcome of a Test match. At times like these, the toss too becomes crucial. The third Test between Australia and India at the MA Chidambaram stadium, Chennai is not one of those cases. With the series see-sawing precariously on Test by Test, innings by innings and indeed a session by session basis, the extraneous factors will play a lesser role in the proceedings. The team that wants the win more will come out on top. India have bounced back in tremendous fashion in the second Test and this will give them a boost in morale. In their turn, the Australians, smarting from the defeat will come back hard at the Indians.

"I have won only two tosses in the last one year. I hope I have some luck here at least," said Ganguly when asked how important the toss was. Steve Waugh, was more philosophical, "The toss is something that is out of my control. There's no sense in worrying about things that are out of my control," he added. Both captains were in agreement that the pitch was a good one. The surface is dry and has no sign of any grass on it. From the look of things on the day before the match, the pitch should play true initially and then begin to break a bit late on the third day. "I don't know why so much is made of pitches. We'll play on any surface given to us," said Waugh, dismissing suggestions that the wicket might be a cause for concern.

And in turn, team composition will depend on the pitch. Sourav Ganguly was categorical in stating that the think tank would sit together and decide on the final eleven only tomorrow morning. However, Ganguly admitted that Javagal Srinath was not match fit. "He is fit enough to bowl, but not fit enough to catch. Also if he breaks his finger out in the middle again, we will be one bowler short. That's a risk we can't afford to take," conceded the Indian captain, who also made it clear that he did not foresee a change in the opening partnership of Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das. There has been much debate about whether Ramesh would get the axe or not and that, for the time being has been laid to rest. The nature of the track also hints that India will go into the game with three spinners and a solitary mediumpacer. If you're a betting man, Harbhajan Singh, Sarandeep Singh and Nilesh Kulkarni would be your best bet to fill the spinners' slots. Sachin Tendulkar will be used to bowl his leg breaks, Ganguly will partner Zaheer Khan with the new ball and that will be that. Nayan Mongia, if fit tomorrow will keep wickets.

For the Australians however, there are still a few unanswered questions about team composition. Shane Warne, who took a bit of stick in the second Test is still very much part of the captain's plans. "Warne will certainly play," answered Steve Waugh in a hurry when asked whether the leg spinner would be left out. Colin Miller might just get a chance to play a Test match on Indian soil. Damien Fleming and Michael Kasprowicz have played a match each and one can't say who will be the chosen one for the final Test.

While the Australians are one of the fittest sides in world cricket, the Chennai heat will no doubt take its toll. Even the best sides, when under pressure, make elementary mistakes. Whichever side is able to wrest the initiative and apply pressure over a period of time will emerge on top in the final Test, and indeed in the series.