Dravid (137) and Dighe rescue Indians
John Ward - 28 May 2001
Under a sky half-covered in light cloud and against a backdrop of the
Bvumba Mountains at the beautiful Mutare Sports Club ground, India
began their six-week tour of Zimbabwe on Monday. The highlight of the
first day of their match against Zimbabwe A was a brilliant century by
Rahul Dravid, which enabled them to declare at 336 for nine. They then
took one wicket for 33 runs in 16 overs by the close.
The pitch contained some bounce but the ball did not appear to come on
to the bat, while the outfield was uneven. However, for a recently
revived ground with new developments taking place all the time, it was
commendable. There was a keen Monday morning crowd of about 200,
mostly parties of schoolchildren, and the number doubled during the
afternoon.
India made a steady start against the bowling of Bryan Strang and
Travis Friend for half an hour before both openers fell in quick
succession. Sadgopan Ramesh (13) chopped a lifter from Friend on to
his stumps, while Shiv Sunder Das (4) snicked Strang to wicket-keeper
Taibu in the next over. India suddenly found themselves at 18 for two.
Venkatsai Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar both settled in, content to wait
for the bad ball, but neither was to go on to play a major innings.
Tendulkar, driving straight, hit a ball back at Mutendera's midriff,
which he juggled and finally grasped to send the little master on his
way for 11. Laxman continued to leave the off-side fielders standing
with his powerful stroke play, but then, when on 24, he played back to
Mutendera and was bowled through the gate. Overall Friend looked the
best of a good trio of bowlers, showing good pace and stamina after a
long layoff from the game.
Saurav Ganguly (12) was next to go, brilliantly caught low down by
Friend at second slip off Mutendera; at 71 for five after 26 overs
with only Rahul Dravid of their top order remaining, India were in
unexpected trouble. Wicket-keeper Samir Dighe, though, made an
immediate positive impression at the crease, looking more comfortable
than some of his superiors, and the pair were still there at lunch.
The afternoon session produced cricket as different as day from night.
Dravid and Dighe batted superbly until after tea in a fine
partnership, with Dravid's share a glorious century. India appeared to
have decided at lunch to take the initiative, as Dravid, pulling and
driving with time to spare, took 16 runs off Friend's first over after
the break. The onslaught continued, with runs now coming at about six
an over. The batsmen used their feet to leg-spinner Brian Murphy
and pulled fiercely at anything short, Dravid quite belying his
reputation as an accumulator with one dazzling stroke after another.
No bowler was able to restrain the flow of languid, beautifully timed
boundaries all round the wicket. With tea drawing near the scoring slowed,
as Dravid approached his century with caution and Zimbabwe A resorted
to defensive field placing.
Dravid's hundred finally came off 97 balls. It took a while to warm up
again after tea, and just as Dravid was getting into his stride again
and taking Murphy apart, the leg-spinner lured him into an uppish
drive to mid-on and he departed for 137, scored off 135 balls, with 22
fours and a six. India were now 296 for six, and the partnership with
Dighe had added 225.
Murphy also claimed the wicket of Dighe, lbw for 87. Zaheer Khan (14)
and Harbhajan Singh (19) hit freely before Ganguly declared with the
score 336 for nine. Mutendera took three for 69, Murphy three for 77
and Friend two for 70.
Zaheer Khan and Debashish Mohanty opened the bowling with some fire
but an absence of line, and Gavin Rennie (1) was highly annoyed to be
given out caught by the keeper while chasing a ball from the latter
well down the leg side. Dion Ebrahim (25) and Hamilton Masakadza (6)
played safe for the close.
© CricInfo
Teams
|
India,
Zimbabwe.
|
Players/Umpires
|
Rahul Dravid,
Bryan Strang,
Travis Friend,
Shiv Sunder Das,
VVS Laxman,
Sachin Tendulkar,
Sourav Ganguly,
Sameer Dighe,
Brian Murphy,
Debasis Mohanty,
Harbhajan Singh,
Gavin Rennie,
Dion Ebrahim,
Hamilton Masakadza.
|
Tours
|
India in Zimbabwe
|
Scorecard
|
Tour Match: Zimbabwe 'A' v Indians, 28-30 May 2001 |
Grounds
|
Mutare Sports Club
|