Travel  |  Business World  |  Women's World  |  Entertainment

Change Your Life!

Zimbabwe snatches thrilling victory

News
Sports
Chat
Travel
Dhaka Today
Yellow Pages
Higher Education
Ask a Doctor
Weather
Currency Rate
Horoscope
E-Cards
B2K Poll
Comment on the Site
B2K Club

December 9, 2000 

Jodhpur -- After the Flower brothers' magnificent revival, Mluleki Nkala's valiant sprint at the death gave Zimbabwe a sensational one-wicket victory off the last ball in the third One-dayer here at Jodhpur.

The win was not only Zimbabwe's first against India in India, it also keeps the tourists alive in 5 match One-day series.

Zimbabwe looked well in control of the chase at one point, with the score reading 210/3, when Grant Flower fell for 70 (94), deceived by a Venkatesh Prasad slower leg-cutter. The dismissal sparked a collapse of sorts, as Gavin Rennie and then Andy Flower departed for 0 and 77 respectively, in the space of only four more runs.

That's when Nkala came to the crease and played an innings of immense character, making 36 off only 27 deliveries, inclusive of four boundaries and a timely six off Sunil Joshi. Skipper Heath Streak played his part with an attacking 23 off 17 balls.

Nkala was tragically run-out with three balls remaining and Ajit Agarkar cleaned up Travis Friend with the very next delivery, leaving Zimbabwe one run to make off the last ball. Henry Olonga, who was given a hiding earlier in the day, did well to clear mid-on to see Zimbabwe home.

Despite Sachin Tendulkar's magnificent century and Nkala's spirited effort, Grant Flower's three wickets and 70 runs won him the man of the match award.

Earlier today, the Flower brothers kept Zimbabwe's chase of 284 alive taking them to 189 for three, with 15 overs remaining. At the stage, Andy was on 65 (88) and Grant on 63 (81), with Zimbabwe needing 94 runs at 6.45 runs an over.

Alistair Campbell was the first man out after a quickfire 24 (19). He was undone by a snorter from Zaheer Khan that reared up and took the edge of his bat on the way to 'keeper Vijay Dahiya.

Guy Whittall, promoted to the opener's slot fell the next over, poking a Venkatesh Prasad delivery to Hemang Badani at short point when on six. When Stuart Carlisle was out for 12 with the team score on 52, Zimbabwe seemed to be out of it. That's when Grant and Andy Flower put together and like they have so many times in the past for Zimbabwe, to steer them back on course.

Earlier today, Sachin Tendulkar's masterful 146 and Zaheer Khan's explosive burst in the ultimate over powered India to a total of 283 in the third One-dayer against Zimbabwe at Jodhpur.

Tendulkar's majestic hundred was the foundation of the Indian innings. The 'lil master brought up his twenty-seventh limited overs century in only 94 deliveries today, courtesy 11 fours and two sixes and continued batting till the 47th over when his attempted flick over short fine-leg proved to be too clever for his own good.

But just as India looked set to close its innings around the 260 mark, Zaheer came along, smashed four consecutive sixes to send the full-house at Jodhpur into a frenzy.

The left-arm paceman not renowned for his batting ability smashed 27 runs off the last over off Henry Olonga to end with 31* off 11 deliveries. At the other end of the scale, Olonga conceded 52 runs in his four overs.

Sunil Joshi, 25 (24) and Ajit Agarkar 13 (11) chipped in with bright little knocks as well.

Earlier today, Rahul Dravid, who supported Tendulkar well in the early stages, was out for 30 when he top-edged a sweep off Grant Flower and Gavin Rennie pulled off a spectacular catch at short-fine leg.

Yuvraj Singh, was promoted to number four and once again the dashing southpaw perished to spin, playing back an innocuous delivery back to Grant Flower, giving him his second wicket. He made 5 (16).

Hemang Badani, the hero at Cuttack, was run-out two balls later, as Tendulkar, batting on 99, dropped the ball at his feet, called for a run and sent him back.

Earlier, electing to bat after winning the toss, India brought up the 100 in the 15th overs with Tendulkar unleashing his full array of strokes. India were 108 for the loss of one wicket after 16 overs, with Tendulkar on 76 and Rahul Dravid, playing the supporting role to perfection, on 22.

After early loss of captain Saurav Ganguly's wicket, Tendulkar counter-attacked in breathtaking style, bringing up his fifty with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

India brought back all rounder Ajit Agarkar in the place of S Sriram, who had claimed three wickets in the previous match in Ahmedabad. The move was obviously prompted by the smallness of the ground here.

Brief scores:

India 282/8 (Tendulkar 146, Zaheer 31*)

Zimbabwe 283/9 (A Flower 77, G Flower 70)

Teams:

India: S Ganguly, S Tendulkar, R Dravid, Y Singh, S Joshi, H Badani, R Sodhi, A Agarkar, V Dahiya, Z Khan, V Prasad

Zimbabwe: T Friend, B Strang, H Olonga, H Streak, G Flower, A Campbell, S Carlisle, G Rennie , G Whittall, A Flower, M Vermeulen

Source : Total-cricket