Kanpur, Apr 8: The cricket teams of India and South Africa arrived here on Tuesday for the third and final Test, beginning on April 11 at Green Park stadium.

Both the teams were accorded a traditional welcome at a city hotel where Indian players were welcomed by putting a 'tilak' on the forehand.

Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was seen interacting with the South African players as they entered the hotel.

Local heroes Mohammed Kaif, who made it to the team as a replacement of injured Sachin Tendulkar, and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla also interacted with the hotel staff.

Pacer Ishant Sharma and off-spinner Romesh Powar had arrived ahead of their teammates from New Delhi.

India are trailing the series 0-1 and must win the third Test to square the series

South Africa's pace attack is fast emerging as the most potent in the world, with Ntini lining up alongside Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Their skills were on display in the second Test in Ahmedabad when the trio dismissed India for 76 in their first innings, paving the way for the Proteas to move 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Smith is delighted by the trio's form but reserved special praise for Ntini.

"Now that Polly (Shaun Pollock) has retired, Makhaya has taken over the role of being the senior player and the leader of the attack," Smith said.

"This has been particularly important as his fast bowling colleagues are far younger and less experienced than he is. Dale has had a fabulous year so far but he needs the leadership that Makhaya is providing."

Ntini has taken nine wickets in the two Tests so far.

Smith added: "Makhaya has been outstanding throughout this series.

"He produced a critical spell (in the first Test) at Chennai when he got rid of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar and got us back into the game.

"And again in the second Test he got the all important wicket at the start in both innings.

"He then came back to get the key wicket of Mahendra Singh Dhoni when they were making a fight of things and he then finished off the match perfectly for us."

The third Test gets under way in Kanpur on Friday.

Pitch for both spinners and fast bowlers"

BCCI Grounds Committee chairman Daljit Singh on Tuesday said the Green Park track for the third Test between India and South Africa here would be a sporting one and rubbished suggestions that he has been asked to prepare a pitch favouring the home team by the Board.

Singh, who inspected the pitch on Monday evening, said he would prepare a track which would have something for both the fast bowlers and spinners.

"Both the fast bowlers and spinners will get help from the pitch. It will not favour only one team," said Daljit who is also the BCCI Pitch and Grounds Committee Chairman.

"We are preparing a sporting track. It may take spin later in the match," he said.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has hailed fast bowler Makhaya Ntini for his leadership qualities following the retirement of Shaun Pollock.