Zimbabwe Go Down Tamely

Going about their task efficiently, Kumble and Harbhajan bowl the hosts to a thumping innings and 101-run verdict.

Updated on: 25 February 2002 12:00 am

Zimbabwe Go Down Tamely

Harbhajan Singh has bowled without luck this whole Test. The ball has beatenthe edge consistently, batsmen have played and missed… Everything but thewicket it seemed for the offie. The final day's play saw the tide turn. DameLuck smiled on the man who scalped 32 Australian wickets in three Tests. Withfour Zimbabwean wickets, Harbhajan Singh was the star on the final day at Nagpur,leading India to an innings and 101-run triumph in the first Test.

Resuming on 152/4, Zimbabwe lost nightwatchman with just 4 runs added to thetotal. Inside edging one from Harbhajan onto his pads, Price presented Dravidwith a dolly of a catch.

Anil Kumble is the kind of bowler who can start a day, right at the top ofhis rhythm. Bowling an impeccable line and length - being full rather than shorteven when he erred - Kumble got a quick googly to slip past Grant Flower's bat.When the ball struck the pad, umpire Venkat's finger immediately went up,although replays suggested that the ball might have been missing the off stump.Grant Flower made just 1.

By this stage a keen contest was on – not between bat and ball, but betweenKumble and Harbhajan. The offie pulled one back, having Trevor Gripper caught atsilly mid on by substitute Virender Sehwag. Gripper's patient 211-ball 60 hadcome to an end.

Tatenda Taibu may not have impressed with the bat, but his attitude certainlydeserves mention, and a pat on the back. The young man, on edging one to theclose-in fielder on the onside, `walked', making the umpire's job easier. Hisduck, however, did the Zimbabwe cause no good with the visitors slumping to167/8. Harbhajan Singh now had three wickets to Kumble's four.

Heath Streak and Travis Friend have both played some dogged innings in thepast, especially against India. With so many overs left to play out on a wicketaiding spin, however, Streak decided there was no point hanging around. Takingthe attack to the spinners, Streak managed to hit one glorious stroke to the onside fence before becoming Kumble's fifth scalp of the innings. Streak (8)provided Ganguly with an easy catch after being surprised by a Kumble deliverythat bounced a bit more.

It was all over for Zimbabwe in the 89th over of the innings. Harbhajanfinished with four wickets for the innings when he sent Brighton Watambwapacking and Zimbabwe slumped to an innings and 101-run loss. With the win, Indialead the two-Test series 1-0.

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