Sehwag strikes Zimbabwe

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Indian opener Virender Sehwag lofts one for maximum on way to scoring a 99-ball 90 against Zimbabwe in their VB tri-series encounter at Hobart yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

A blistering 90 from man-of-the match Virender Sehwag helped India to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe and their first victory of the tri-nation series at Bellerive Oval here on Wednesday.

Sehwag, a part-time spinner who had earlier taken 2-40 against Zimbabwe's batsmen, blasted his runs off just 99 deliveries in an innings which included nine boundaries five of them sixes.

India finished with 211 for three, for its first victory in the series after both teams lost their opening matches against host-nation Australia.

Chasing Zimbabwe's 208 for six, Sehwag joined with the little master Sachin Tendulkar, who made 44, to put India in control with an opening stand of 130 from 24 overs.

From there only a miracle could save Zimbabwe and despite picking up 42 for three, India bolted to victory with 74 balls to spare well inside the 40 overs needed to earn a bonus point for the match.

Captain Saurav Ganguly hit a breezy 32 not out, with V.V.S Laxman unbeaten on 13. Tendulkar smashed four early boundaries and at one stage led his partner by 15 runs before Sehwag hit full throttle.

Earlier a late flourish by Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak had helped carry his team to a respectable 208 for six after the top order again failed to find form.

Streak paired with all-rounder Sean Ervine for a 93-run partnership from just 72 balls to help rescue Zimbabwe's innings after an uninspiring performance by the top-order.

The pair came together with the score at 114 for six and at the close of the 50-over innings were both unbeaten with Streak on 59 from 68 deliveries and Ervine on 48 from 33 balls faced.

It was a ground-record one-day partnership for the seventh wicket.

Ervine was particularly impressive, smashing three sixes, including two in succession over long-on off Ajit Agarkar.

The pair took 68 runs off India's last seven overs after Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bat.

Once again Zimbabwe's top order were staid and lifeless on a perfect batting wicket with only opener Stuart Carlisle showing any resilience with an innings of 36 before he was trapped lbw to a Sehwag off-break.

The Africans struggled at barely three runs an over for the first half of the innings with Ajit Agarkar and Irfan Pathan keeping the top order tied down before spinners Anil Kumble, Sehwag and Hemang Badani tightened the screws in the middle overs.