India Demoralise Namibia
Monday, February 24 2003
A golden opportunity for 4 vital points, and much needed batting practice, India were all smiles heading into this World Cup clash with group minnows, Namibia, and the two big guns, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly did not dissapoint.
The new Pietermaritzberg ground was the host of this group A clash. The pitch had a bit of grass on it, which provided some hope to the energetic Namibian bowlers. But the ground had an extremely fast outfield, and the temperature was almost as hot as the Indian's experience back home.
Namibia won the toss and elected to field first, and the Indian opening duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were looking for some runs, and in quick time. Sehwag began early hitting a run a ball 24 which included some lovely timed shots.
But Sehwag fell for 24, bowled by Rudi van Vuuren. Sehwag so far has had a dissapointing time in the World Cup, all eyes will be on him now to perform against England. That brought struggling skipper, Sourav Ganguly to the crease. The early part of his innings was scratchy as he tried to adjust to the pace and bounce of the wicket.
Sachin Tendulkar on the other hand, was at his sublime and masterly best picking the gaps and stroking the bad balls, and the good balls to the boundary at will. At the other end, Ganguly was happy just to take the singles and the two's. India's run rate was steady and always on the climb.
Tendulkar meanwhile reached a well made 50 off 70 balls, with 6 boundaries. Ganguly still content on picking up the ones and two's, started to open up, as he smacked a huge six of van Rooi which sailed over the long off rope. Eventually the Tendulkar/Ganguly partnership passed 50, and things were looking quite rosy.
It got much rosier for India from there on, with Sachin Tendulkar cutting, driving and pulling balls in his ever typical masterful fashion, and Ganguly dispatched a couple of other bad balls for six, as Ganguly reached his half century.
But the crowd was waiting for the little master to bring up his 34th ODI century, and he did not dissapoint, as he sneaked a single and brought it up. The crowd rose and applauded the master's effort.
With India looking to accelarate, Ganguly smacked the bad balls for four through deep point and cover, and smashed the ball over long off and long on, as he went after all the bowling. Tendulkar, meanwhile was busy taking the Namibian's apart, and the master brought up his 152 in just 151 balls, and India were in the drivers seat.
Ganguly brought up his century as well, and heaved a big, big sigh of relief. A century after all is a century, even if it is against weak opposition, and this innings would've done Ganguly's confidence a lot of good.
India finishing up with a massive 311/2 in their 50 overs, and Namibia had their task cut out.
The Namibian's began in a rather defensive and slow fashion. Ashish Nehra, pairing up with Srinath to tackle the new ball, was immediately in pain, after he bowled his first delivery. Nehra walked off the ground, never to be seen on the field.
Zaheer Khan though got the first wicket, when he caught Swanepoel (5) in front of the stumps. LJ Burger fell next for 0, as Zaheer Khan caught him in front as well. AJ Burger put up some fight as he flayed the Indian bowling to all parts. But Keulder was out next, out to Harbhajan Singh for 4.
India could afford to expermient, and Sourav Ganguly did just that as he brought on Dinesh Mongia to roll his arm over. It worked immediately as Mongia dismissed AJ Burger for 29. Murgatroyd fell for 0, caught in front of the stumps to a Harbhajan Singh delivery. Namibia struggling at 5/47.
Kotze and van Schoor made a 51 run partnership, which was produced at a steady pace, before Kotze (27) fell to Mongia, who caught the catch off his own bowling. India, who were without Ashish Nehra, had to fill up the 5th bowlers spot, and they did it exceptionally well, as Yuvraj Singh was brought into the attack.
Yuvraj picked up 4/6 in the space of 4.3 overs, to wrap up the game and give India a comprehensive victory. Yuvraj picked up van Schoor (24), van Rooi (17), BL Kotze (3), and the last wicket of Snyman (5) to finish the game off in fine style.
Brief Score Summary:
India: 311/2 (Tendulkar 152, Ganguly 112*, van Vuuren 2/53)
Namibia: 130 All Out (AJ Burger 29, DB Kotze 27, Yuvraj 4/6, Zaheer 2/24, Mongia 2/24, Harbhajan 2/34)
India won by 181 runs.
India: 4 Points
Namibia: 0 Points
Cricket Web Player Of The Match: Sachin Tendulkar (IND)
Posted by Sangrah
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