Kanpur, Jan. 27 :    Kanpur, Jan. 27:  Winter is about to bid goodbye to the venue for the fourth India-England match, but Kanpur is all set to warm up for some excitement as the one-day series draws to a close. On its whistle-stop journey through the country the cricket caravan halts here, and things still look open, even with the hosts edging ahead after snatching a win in Chennai. It was as close there in the third game as were the first two. And that is what should bother the home team, up against youth and relative inexperience. While both teams are looking to try out what they may find useful in just above a year to come, India should be even more sure of what they should take to the 2003 World Cup. Considering this, Nasser Hussain's boys have done well by running Sourav Ganguly's men close so far, and the proverbial 'tigers at home' should find that motivating and challenging enough to wrap it up as soon as possible. Their rivals wouldn't certainly mind stretching the series further, and the teams are contemplating changes in combinations preferred henceforth. The Indians have perhaps temporarily lost faith in V. V. S. Laxman, and have got their skipper back after a troubled hamstring, while the visitors are thinking hard on how to accommodate Graham Thorpe in their existing scheme of things. The English middle-order mainstay has so far been spared, which has also proved to be too much of a luxury. Coach Duncan Fletcher and Hussain had some brainstorming to do and are likely to leave Nick Knight out of the XI. The one-day specialist came to India with an average of 42.91 from 65 matches, but did not survive Jawagal Srinath's opening spell in three matches. This necessitates a new opening combination and Michael Vaughan is the man tipped to face the new ball. A difficult move, considering the solidity provided to the middle-order by the right-hander in the last two games. Thorpe, of course, continues to be the most experienced hand in that department. There is another, albeit surprise, option: that of pushing Andrew Flintoff up, keeping in mind his struggle deeper in the order against the slower bowlers. The thinktank believes he is more suitable to the quicker stuff and that his tendency to cut loose early on may come handy in the first 15 overs. That will lend a more composed look to the middle-order and wouldn't actually form a bad line-up if the lower-order all-rounders contribute. It's not that runs have not come from that area, but things there have to be consistent to obliterate the question mark over durability. Fletcher, however, didn't go public with his plans. 'We have 15 players fit for selection,' he said, but added that he wants the middle-order to contribute more. 'The all-rounders must start getting some runs.' Skipper Hussain, still short on runs amid rave reviews on captaincy, didn't meet the press. India don't seem too loaded with thoughts over whom to pick ahead of whom. With the captain returning to the top of the order, Sanjay Bangar is almost certain to be left out. This means fresh call-up Mohammed Kaif will make his one-day debut. Kaif, having earned a few Test caps, has a Calcutta connection. His father Tarif played Maidan league for Mohammedan Sporting for a couple of seasons in the mid-60s. Skipper Sourav said he will return to partner Sachin Tendulkar up the order and Virender Sehwag will be pushed 'up the order, may be at No. 3.' Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble are once again set to provide spin after the faster variety from Srinath and Agarkar. Sarandeep Singh's wait for his maiden ODI cap is expected to last longer. He said he is drawing confidence from his performances here, which includes an all-round effort against Zimbabwe in the December of 2000. It was also the game after which he was suspended for a match for excessive appealing. 'Even then, it continues to be a happy ground for India.' He felt the toss tomorrow may just be more crucial than the last few matches played here. 'Usually you get some early dew here at this time of the season... It looks like a good batting track but a decision on what to do after winning the toss is not wise before inspecting the wicket in the morning.' The wicket, for that matter, is unlikely to displease batsmen. That's what G. Kasturirangan, BCCI pitch committee chief curator, said. 'There are runs on the strip, but it will start turning near the end. Batting first seems to be the safer decision,' he observed. The rain threat Meanwhile, Kanpur is witnessing some 'mistimed' rain, which, though, has yet to cast any serious shadow over the match. It drizzled mild early in the morning and also in the evening. The ground remains unaffected though it is a little damp. However, what it may cause if it continues in the morning is that it will make things very tricky for whoever wins the toss. While making first use of a belter without the pressure of chasing is tempting, the lucky man with the coin will find it difficult to decide against inserting the opposition if it remains damp. TEAMS INDIA (likely): Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Dinesh Mongia, Mohammed Kaif, Hemang Badani, Virender Sehwag, Ajay Ratra, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Jawagal Srinath ENGLAND: Nasser Hussain, Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Paul Collingwood, Ben Hollioake, Graham Thorpe/Nick Knight, Jeremy Snape, James Foster, Andrew Flintoff, Mathew Hoggard, Darren Gough. UMPIRES: I. Sivaram (Hyderabad) and G. R. Mohite (Baroda).