11.   Hudson has the class of the opening pair.

12.   Illingworth said he did not have a definite view on the opening pair and the final decision would be the subject of a lengthy discussion.

13.   India again go into the game with a different opening pair, having already tried and failed with two combinations in as many matches.

14.   A US sweep of five opening pairs matches was an unexpected surprise.

15.   After Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock had bowled a tight line in the opening overs, the Australian opening pair steadily gained control.

16.   But it was less impressive total than they would have expected after opening pair Romesh Kaluwitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya had given them a blazing start.

17.   The Test opening pair of Shiv Das and Wasim Jaffer has been persisted with, but spinners Murali Kartik and Sarandeep Singh have no place in either team.

18.   The West Indies are still searching for an opening pair to match the feats of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

19.   Wadekar said the final opening pair would be decided at a team meeting on the eve of the match.

20.   With Allan Donald and Brett Schultz as the opening pair, South Africa can also call on Craig Matthews and all-rounder Brian McMillan.