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Run-fest in the offing
Wisden CricInfo staff - March 12, 2002
The Nehru Stadium at Kochi has hosted only two one-day internationals so far. India have won both – they beat Australia by 41 runs in April 1998, and scored a three-wicket win against South Africa in March 2000.
In both matches, the captain winning the toss chose to bat.
This venue has provided a veritable run-feast – the average first-innings total is 305; in the second innings, it's 285. Three times in four innings, teams have passed 300, with India achieving that landmark both times. Batting first against Australia, they amassed 309 for 5, and then, chasing South Africa's 301 for 3, they won with two balls to spare.
Three batsmen have scored centuries here. Ajay Jadeja hammered an unbeaten 105 against Australia, while Gary Kirsten (115) and Herschelle Gibbs (111) added 235 for the first wicket in just 39.3 overs. As it turned out, it still wasn't enough to win South Africa the match.
The bowlers have struggled to make an impression. The pacemen average 46.8 per wicket, with an economy rate of 6.5 runs per over. Spinners have tended to keep the batsmen quieter, conceding 5.2 runs an over, but their average is marginally higher at 48.4.
The most successful bowler, by far, is Sachin Tendulkar. His 5 for 32 in 10 overs against Australia won India a match which they seemed to be losing. Requiring 310 to win, Australia were 203 for 3 in the 32nd over when Tendulkar worked his magic with his legspinners. He prized out the entire Australian middle order of Michael Bevan, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Tom Moody and Damien Martyn as India cantered to a comfortable win.
Part-time offspinner Rahul Dravid achieved his best bowling figures here, taking 2 for 43 against South Africa. Dravid has only four wickets in one-dayers.
S Rajesh is sub editor of Wisden.com India.
© Wisden CricInfo Ltd
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