Zimbabwe v India at Harare, 19 Feb 2003 CricInfo Live Report

Zimbabwe v India at Harare, 19 Feb 2003
John Ward

India, Pool A innings: End of Innings,
Pre-game: Toss & Teams,
Zimbabwe innings: 25 overs,

INDIAN BOWLERS LEAVE ZIMBABWE REELING
Fine Indian bowling, especially from the experienced Javagal Srinath, sent Zimbabwe tumbling towards likely defeat. Srinath took two wickets for just 10 runs in his opening seven-over spell and after 25 overs Zimbabwe were reeling at 85 for five, with Andy Blignaut and Tatenda Taibu at the crease.

Zimbabwe lost Mark Vermeulen, clearly overcome by nerves, in the first over, bowled by Srinath; after a couple of unconvincing jabs at the ball, he went fishing well outside off stump and was caught at the wicket without scoring.

Andy Flower came in next and began cautiously in the company of Craig Wishart, who played some positive strokes. Flower survived a close lbw appeal and also a run-out chance when on 6, stranded in midpitch, but the fielder's throw missed the stumps. But generally the Indian bowling and fielding was sharp and the batsmen were forced to fight for both runs and survival.

Wishart scored 12 before, trying to cut with a diagonal bat a ball from Srinath too close to his off stump, he only succeeded in dragging it on to his wicket. Zimbabwe were 23 for two and the match was at the crossroads as the Flower brothers joined forces.

Andy, however, played a most uncharacteristic innings and appeared badly distracted. He was finally out for 22 in what was for him perhaps a unique way, bowled behind his legs sweeping at Harbhajan. In the 17th over Zimbabwe, at 48 for three, appeared to be sliding slowly towards defeat.

Grant Flower and Dion Ebrahim steadied the ship, accumulating sensibly and attempting nothing exotic, but the required run rate continued to climb. Flower made 23 before his attempt to speed things up saw him sky a straight hit, which led to him being caught off Ganguly for 23. Next ball Ebrahim (19) obligingly hit a catch to the deep leg field and, at 83 for five and seven an over needed, only a miracle from Blignaut would serve.

INDIA POST CHALLENGING TOTAL
India, who had looked set for 300 at one stage thanks to a superb 81 from Sachin Tendulkar, must have been rather disappointed that in the end they were able to reach a total of only 255 for seven, thanks to a good Zimbabwean fightback.

It was Virender Sehwag who first established India's authority on the match with two effortless drives through the covers in Andy Blignaut's first over. Two more off-side fours came in Blignaut's next over, and he retired from the attack after conceding 22 runs, including four wides, in two overs. After missing a month with a broken finger, Blinganut looked very rusty and his opening spell handed the initiative straight to India.

Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, Douglas Hondo was little more accurate, and although Heath Streak at the other end generally kept the batsmen quiet, he was rarely able to threaten them.

India were soon well in the driving seat, with Sachin Tendulkar starting quietly but then accelerating without ever looking to break sweat.

Tendulkar left Sehwag standing in the thirties, racing through to his fifty off 57 deliveries. On 51, he almost gave a hard chance to backward point, looking momentarily casual, and then lost Sehwag (36), superbly caught at the wicket by Tatenda Taibu standing up to the accurate medium-pacer Guy Whittall. The opening stand had realized 99.

Zimbabwe's ground fielding was excellent, apart from a couple of throws that would have resulted in run-outs had they hit the stumps. However, they lost the chance of another wicket when Tendulkar edged Whittall through the vacant first-slip position to the boundary, immediately after an uppish stroke from Mongia just eluded backward point.

The accuracy of Whittall and Grant Flower regained some measure of control for Zimbabwe, but with nine wickets in hand India would have a total of well over 300 in view. Then in the 28th over, bowled by Flower, the balance tilted.

Mongia (12), who had never looked comfortable, tried to hit him out of the ground, only to be caught at long-on. Two balls later Tendulkar, trying to turn a ball to leg, was bowled, the ball just removing his off bail.

Unusually, the third umpire was called upon to confirm the dismissal, as the umpires presumably wanted to make sure Taibu had not dislodged it.

Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid then had to settle in and build a partnership. They added 40 before Ganguly, trying to hit Blignaut over his head, was caught for 24, and Yuvraj Singh (1) followed in the next over, caught at the wicket off Brian Murphy. India had declined to 184 for five after 39 overs.

Zimbabwe tightened up their bowling and India were unable to get fully back on track. Mohammad Kaif (25) threatened to take them there, hitting Hondo for four and six before being trapped lbw by the next ball, and it was left to Dravid to hold the innings together. He was not in his best form, but the odd brilliant stroke revealed his true genius and he finished on 43 not out.

ZIMBABWE PUT INDIA IN AT HARARE
This is a must-win match for both teams. The four points donated by England has given Zimbabwe an unexpected hope of reaching the Super Sixes. One victory against another Test-playing country will, assuming the weather allows them to beat Holland next week, quite possibly open that door for them – and of the other Test-playing countries, India look the most vulnerable.

For India, under great pressure from their disgruntled supporters at home, defeat would make their task of reaching the Super Six stage almost impossible and increase the condemnation of them to unbearable levels. Their batting, is strong on paper, is in crisis, and they will hope desperately that the comparatively friendly Zimbabwe bowling will help them regain their confidence.

The pitch is slightly green, but not markedly so. Heath Streak, on winning the toss put India in to bat. The Harare Sports Club pitch is well-known for giving life and movement for the first hour or so of a match, although with the more batting-friendly pitches in recent years this has become less significant. The match begins in hot, humid weather, but with a chance of rain later in the day.

With Andy Blignaut fit again, Zimbabwe omitted Henry Olonga. India’s stated batting order showed Virender Sehwag exchanging places with captain Sourav Ganguly to open the batting, and seamer Ashish Nehra replacing Anil Kumble.

The teams were as follows:

Zimbabwe: Craig Wishart, Mark Vermeulen, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Guy Whittall, +Tatenda Taibu, *Heath Streak, Andy Blignaut, Brian Murphy, Douglas Hondo.

India: Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, +Rahul Dravid, *Sourav Ganguly, Dinesh Mongia, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra.