Spotlight back on cricket as Perth Test approaches

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After ten days of acrimony following the controversial Sydney Test, both India and Australia have vowed to play the game in the true spirit as they go into the third cricket Test in Perth on Wednesday with the visitors determined to stop the home team from clinching a world record 17th consecutive Test win.

A reconciliation meeting between the two captains has helped to ease the tension between the two teams after the unsavoury incidents in the Sydney Test very nearly derailed the tour.

The spotlight will now be back on cricket but the Indians have their tasks cut out as they seek to halt the Australian juggernaut on a bouncy WACA track, regarded as the fastest pitch in the world.

The Indians have decided to include opener Virender Sehwag, who marked his return to form with a blistering century against ACT XI in a practice game, in place of an out-of-form Yuvraj Singh.

With Sehwag coming back into the team, Rahul Dravid, who had donned the openers role in the first two Tests, will return to his customary no. 3 slot while V V S Laxman will be back at no. 6 position.

The Indians may also leave out Harbhajan Singh, who finds himself at the centre of a race row, as the WACA pitch would favour the fast bowlers. Paceman Irfan Pathan is likely to take Harbhajan's place in the team.

The in-form Sourav Ganguly had been down with fever for the last few days but the team management is hopeful that the elegant left-hander will be fit for the crucial Test which

India desperately needs to win to stay afloat in the series.

The Australians, leading the series 2-0, will be without the services of their towering opener Mathew Hayden, who has not recovered from a hamstring injury. Chris Rogers, touted to be a highly talented opener, will take his place at the top of the order.

The home team has also opted to go in with a all-pace attack with Shaun Tait coming in place of Brad Hogg, hoping to capitalise on the conditions at WACA.

Indian captain Anil Kumble stressed the need to get a good start for the batsmen in the first innings and said his team had the batting depth to post a big total on the board.