Ganguly fashions series victory

India clinched the five match India Zimbabwe one day series with a fine nine wicket win at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Monday. it was the allround display by their skipper Sourav Ganguly, who played the lead role to perfection, which ensured a thumping win for the hosts. It was Ganguly's day. With a five wicket haul and a unbeaten 71 off 68 balls, there was no question as to who the man of the day was.

Ganguly always tends to set an example on the field. And today was no exception. Bowling a full quota of ten overs, he tormented the Zimbabwean batsmen to no end. With the pitch having low bounce, any bowler would prove to be a handful. Deciding on bringing himself on, Ganguly struck a good line and before long sent back Andy Flower (20). Trying to force the pace the southpaw heaved Ganguly only to be caught by Agarkar at mid wicket.

This gave Ganguly added confidence since it has been quite some time since he bowled his full quota of overs. Bringing himself back for another spell on the other side of the first drinks break, he packed off Grant Flower (6) and Stuart Carlisle (20). The Zimbabwean captain Heath Streak (3) also did not last long. At 141 for 6, the Zimbabwean innings was going nowhere. It was just a matter of time before the innings folded up. Ganguly then trapped Travis Friend (6) giving him his second five wicket haul in international cricket. The visitors' innings folded up in the 45th over when Agarkar picked up the final wicket, that of Olonga, who gave a return catch.

Having reduced the visitors to 164, Ganguly and Tendulkar went about their work with clinical precision. The way Ganguly dismissed Friend from the attack gave a glimpse of what was in store for the 45,000 odd crowd. The two displayed utmost aggression while driving and pulling at will. But the most striking aspect is that the two batsmen forced the visitors into submission. They put up the 100-run partnership on the board in the 15th over. The same over witnessed Tendulkar crossing his fifty - incidentally his 50th half century in international career. The chase entered the last phase with Ganguly also reaching his half century in the 20th over. Three overs later the Indian total crossed 150 as Ganguly launched into a straight drive over Nkala's head.

The stand came to a rather tame end, when with only the formalities needed to be completed, Friend trapped Tendulkar leg before in the 25th over of the innings. Tendulkar faced 86 balls for his 56. Ganguly needed just two scoring shots after his partner's dismissal to clinch the series in favour of India.

Earlier the Zimbabwean batsmen displayed abject inability to face up to the Indian attack. But credit should be given to the openers Alister Campbell and T Modondo, for battling it out in the middle against some inspired bowling by Zaheer Khan. The Zimbabwean innings was pegged on the back foot early. On a pitch that offered little bounce and with the ball not coming on to the bat, the Zimbabweans kept losing wickets in the middle overs. The innings folded up with the last batsman Olonga offering a simple return catch to Agarkar in the 45th over.