BOMBAY, India, Nov. 1, India’s cricketers believe if they beat England in the semifinal here on ‘Thursday, they will win the World ‘Cup for the second time.
“Whoever wins on Thursday is going to win the tournament”, Captain Kapil Dev said on Sunday. “But it should be a very close match”.
His opinion was echoed by all-rounder Ravi Shastri, formerly India’s vice-captain but who lost the post for the world cup, “England and India are the two best disciplined teams in the tournament and that is what counts in one-day cricket”, he said,
Shastri said that if India won the toss on Thursday they would probably field first. “We feel happier chasing a target. But if we do have to bat first and can score around 270, 290 runs, we should win because our spinners can close it up”
“Would have been happier if this match had been the final, because T think India and England are the two best teams in the competition”, Shastri said.
England practiced on Sunday morning and then relaxed around the swim ring pool at the famous waterfront Taj Mahal Hotel which overlooks the Arabian Sea.
Mike Gatting, England’s Captain, said there was still concern over bowler Neil Foster’s injured right knee.
“He has had this trouble on and off almost since the start of the tour and finds it hard to push off on that leg in his delivery stride. But we are hoping {hat this five-day break between games will give him time to recover”, Gatting said.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 6, 1987
