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Tendulkar versus Australia, again

India will look to a concerted team effort led by master batsman Sachin Tendulkar as they take on the mighty Australians in a do-or-die battle in the Wills International Cup in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The Aussies have a score to settle, anxious as they are to avenge their defeat at the hands of India in the Sharjah Cup, earlier this year. And Sachin Tendulkar, hero of that win, has a point to prove after his dismal performance in Kuala Lumpur, during the Commonwealth Games, and the more recent series against Zimbabwe, where he had only one century -- mediocre going by his awesome standards.

On his day Sachin -- who, in 220 ODIs has 18 centuries and an aggregate of 7,305 runs -- is fully equipped to tear apart any bowling attack and put a match beyond the rivals off his own bat, and he will have another chance tomorrow on the increasingly batsman-friendly tracks at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

India may lack the steely nerves and outright aggression of the Aussies, but can take comfort from the fact that a majority of the 21 wins in 53 contests between the two countries have been on the sub-continent.

If india wins tomorrow, they will still have their task cut out for them in the tournament, as they are likely to face arch rivals Pakistan, who powered to a 4-1 win against an admittedly depleted Indian outfit in Toronto recently.

On tracks that are increasingly taking turn, India seems better placed with leg spinner Anil Kumble, left arm spinner Sunil Joshi and rookie off spinner Nikhil Chopra, whereas Australia fields only one recognised spinner in Gavin Robertson, with rookie left armer Brad Young in support. For the Aussies, the main bowling strength lies in Glenn McGrath, backed by Damien Fleming, Bernard Julien and Micheal Kasprowicz forming an all pace attack.

When it comes to batting, southpaw Michael Bevan is the only player in the Aussie ranks with a fifty plus average -- though he has often failed against quicker bowlers in ODIs.

Skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has indicated that he is keen to come one down -- a place normally reserved for Rahul Dravid. Indications are that the side may also send in Robin Singh early, in order to get runs in the first 15 overs.

The toss could prove crucial. Thus far, the team batting second has won in all the three games of this tournament.

Meanwhile, fights between rival fans caused off-field disruptions during Monday's game, between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

An English newspaper reporting from the Western Bangladesh town of Rajshahi said hour-long clashes erupted after a Sri Lankan supporter was thrown out of a local youth club by fans of the New Zealand team.

Police in Rajshahi, 192 kms northwest of the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, said the fans threw firecrackers at each other and employed other weapons. Several shops sustained damage in the melee.

Six people were hospitalised with injuries.