Mohammad Kaif plays saviour yet again It is now becoming increasingly painful to ignore Mohammad Kaif's calling attention to his strikingly good form. After his already semi-mythical knock in the NatWest final, Kaif played a good hand against West Indies A on the final day of their tour match. Making 77 even as an early fall of wickets threatened to embarrass the Indians, Kaif appeared confident throughout, adding 85 runs in 85 minutes for the seventh wicket with Dinesh Mongia. India were bowled out for 255, setting a target of 243 at over six an over. It was a target the West Indians were never likely to chase, but even so, they teetered at 57 for four before Ryan Hinds and Dwayne Bravo took them to safety. An uncomfortable tour match thus ended in a draw for the Indians; after their spectacular batting in the one-dayers, a lively pitch and sharp bowling reminded them that the Test series may not be the walk in the park that their fans are expecting.

Kapil Dev: India have the potential to win the Test series India have the potential to win the upcoming Test series against England and claim their first such success in over 16 years, former coach Kapil Dev has said. "I hope they win. They have the capability and they should believe in themselves," the former all-rounder told Reuters. India, a potent force on slow pitches at home, have struggled overseas and have gone without a Test series win outside south Asia since Dev's side won 2-0 in England in 1985-86. Dev cautioned Sourav Ganguly's team not to get carried away by their victory over England in the final of the triangular series on Saturday. "That is history, the entire focus should now be on the Tests," he said. India achieved the second highest successful run-chase in one-day history to overhaul England's total of 325. The victory, and Mohammad Kaif's match-winning innings of 87 not out, continued to dominate Indian newspapers three days later. Indian hopes have also soared for next year's World Cup, which is taking place in South Africa from February 8 to March 23. But Dev, who led India to their only World Cup triumph in 1983, warned against unrealistic expectations. "The performance was very good, but winning one series is not enough," he said. "Too much expectation has been created. The World Cup is eight months away, give them time." He also admonished Ganguly for taking off his shirt in celebration on the Lord's balcony, a display seen as a response to England's Andrew Flintoff's similar demonstration after lifting his side to a series-levelling one-day win in India earlier this year. "I was taken aback because he was the captain," said Dev. "If a junior player had done it, it was understandable. He should know how to show his emotions."

Faced with injuries, England selectors have to make tough choices Even a competent mathematician would have trouble figuring out the English XI likely to play in the first Test, considering the various permutations and combinations that have to be factored in. Mark Butcher has declared himself fit following surgery on his knee, but he may yet suffer some pain in Surrey's game against Kent. Butcher may take Marcus Trescothick's vacant slot as the Somerset opener suffered a multiple fracture to his thumb in stopping a Graeme Hick cover drive during a county game. On the pace bowling front, Andy Caddick is suffering from a side strain, but selectors are still waiting for a complete confirmation of his withdrawal. Alex Tudor ails from shin splints, while Darren Gough's fitness will be tested in his first Championship match of the season for Yorkshire. The mind boggles, but India can still be assured a tough contest when they step onto the field at Lord's.

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