Opening match drawn as Indians opt for batting practice
John Ward - 30 May 2001
After the loss of the second day, the warm-up match between Zimbabwe A
and the Indians petered out into the expected draw, although India did
turn down a chance of an outright win when they decided against
enforcing the follow-on. In reply to their first innings of 336 for
nine declared, they dismissed Zimbabwe A for 175 and then, batting
again, scored 150 for seven.
In contrast to the aborted second day of the match, Day Three began
warm and sunny. With the notable exception of Craig Wishart, the
Zimbabwe A Test hopefuls failed to make anything of their opportunity.
Hamilton Masakadza (8) soon fell, caught at slip off Ashish Nehra, and
Zimbabwe A were 37 for two.
Then followed the only notable partnership of the innings, between
opener Dion Ebrahim and Wishart. Debashish Mohanty initially erred in
length and was punished by both batsmen. Wishart pulled short
deliveries with particular relish, and also produced the odd powerful
straight drive to the overpitched ball. He looked every inch a batsman
with a point to prove. Had those responsible sought to boost his
fragile confidence instead of condemning him to live in constant
insecurity, he could be a successful Test regular.
By contrast, current Test player Ebrahim found it difficult to time
the ball, but hung in there with determination. When Harbhajan Singh
made a belated arrival at the bowling crease, Wishart immediately hit
him for six over long on, but then skied a ball safely between two
fielders. Just before lunch, Zahir Khan began a collapse by having
Ebrahim (47) caught at slip and then yorking Craig Evans first ball.
Viljoen (5) was lbw to Harbhajan and Zimbabwe A were suddenly reeling
at 139 for five.
Then Wishart, his concentration apparently disturbed by the comings
and goings at the far end, hung a limp bat out feebly to Khan and was
caught at the wicket. He had hit 68 off 85 balls. Finally Tatenda
Taibu (1) was caught at short leg off Harbhajan on the stroke of
lunch, and Zimbabwe A were 143 for seven, having lost five wickets for
just ten runs. India had struck back with a vengeance.
The disasters continued for Zimbabwe A after the interval, as Travis
Friend (4) had his middle stump uprooted by a quicker yorker from
Harbhajan Singh, and Bryan Strang (0) was caught at first slip off
Nehra. Brian Murphy (9 not out) hung on while David Mutendera (13)
enjoyed some thick edges and one powerfully driven boundary before
being caught again by Sachin Tendulkar at first slip. Zimbabwe A were
all out, 161 runs behind, but India declined to enforce the follow-on,
preferring batting practice.
Shiv Sunder Das and Sadagopan Ramesh looked in need of it, as they
both had some uncomfortable moments early on against Strang and
Friend. Das was finally adjudged lbw playing forward to Strang for 12,
and shortly afterwards Ramesh (6) was caught in the slips off Friend,
reducing the tourists to 22 for two.
Venkatsai Laxman and Tendulkar batted quietly until tea, playing
occasional attacking strokes but seeming content to wait for the loose
ball rather than plunder the bowling. Friend tried two short balls to
Tendulkar, only to have them both pulled effortlessly for four.
Immediately after tea Mutendera had the same humiliating experience.
However, Mutendera was to take the wicket of Tendulkar for the second
time in the match, as the little maestro hit too early and was caught
at extra cover for 33. The same bowler had Laxman caught in the slips,
also for 33. Sourav Ganguly (17) disputed his lbw dismissal in a way
that would have had serious consequences in a Test match, and two more
quick wickets followed. Rahul Dravid did not bat again, and as the
match meandered to a close Harbhajan Singh (25*) entertained the crowd
of several hundred, mainly schoolchildren, with a few big hits.
© CricInfo
Teams
|
India,
Zimbabwe.
|
Players/Umpires
|
Hamilton Masakadza,
Craig Wishart,
Ashish Nehra,
Dion Ebrahim,
Debasis Mohanty,
Harbhajan Singh,
Zaheer Khan,
Dirk Viljoen,
Travis Friend,
Brian Murphy,
Shiv Sunder Das,
VVS Laxman,
Sachin Tendulkar,
Sourav Ganguly,
Rahul Dravid.
|
Tours
|
India in Zimbabwe
|
Scorecard
|
Tour Match: Zimbabwe 'A' v Indians, 28-30 May 2001 |
Grounds
|
Mutare Sports Club
|