November 18, 2003	Tuesday	Ramazan 22, 1424

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KOLKATA, Nov 17: World champions Australia will aim to avoid a repeat of their famous slip-up at the Eden Gardens two years ago when they face hosts India in the one-day tri-series final on Tuesday.

Ricky Ponting’s side start favourites after five wins in a row despite entering the tournament without the injured pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

They have also been boosted by their convincing 61-run defeat of India in their final group game in Bangalore after amassing 347-2, their third highest one-day total.

But Australia will need no reminding of their last trip to the famous ground in 2001 when they lost one of the most thrilling Tests in history after enforcing the follow on.

Vangipurappu Laxman hit India’s highest Test score of 281 as India provided only the third instance in Tests where a team following on had triumphed, ending Australia’s world record victory spree at 16.

“We know we will be playing in a hostile environment,” Ponting told reporters on Monday.

“In Bangalore, (India captain) Saurav Ganguly told me that nearly 120,000 people would come to watch if India qualified.

“It is going to be a great experience.”

Crowd violence at Eden Gardens forced the 1996 World Cup semifinal against Sri Lanka to be abandoned.

In 2001, Pakistan completed victory at Eden Gardens in an Asian Test championship game before empty stands after rioting fans had to be expelled.

Ganguly suffered a groin strain while batting during the 145-run victory over New Zealand in the deciding group game in on Saturday and faces a fitness test on Tuesday morning.

India’s Sachin Tendulkar is the leading scorer in the tournament with 421 runs. The Indians leave on Friday for a tough four-Test tour of Australia.—Reuters