DATE: 27-01-1997
VENUE: Boland Bank Park, Paarl, South Africa
MATCH: 3rd Match, India Vs Zimbabwe, Standard Bank International One-Day Series
It was for the first time that Boland Bank Park in Paarl was hosting a One Day International. India took on Zimbabwe in the 3rd Match of the Standard Bank International One-Day Series. It was a day to remember for the people of Paarl who were witnessing their first ODI. Although the home team was not contesting in this game, India and Zimbabwe battled it out ferociously and provided a hum dinger of a match.
Alistair Campbell, the Zimbabwe skipper won the toss and chose to set up a total. The Zimbabwean’s started modestly. The first wicket fell at the score of 17 followed by another at 32. Campbell joined Grant Flower, who was looking focused at the crease. Both began stroking the ball sweetly until Grant Flower erred in his technique and was bowled by Salil Ankola with the score on 51. Campbell was joined by Paul Strang and a decent looking pair began to rebuild the innings. The pair had added 94 runs for the 4th wicket when Strang while approaching his 50 presented a catch to Anil Kumble off Venkatesh Prasad. The score was 145 for 4. In the meanwhile Campbell scored his 6th 50 in ODI’s but was unable to convert it into a big one. He perished by lobbing a catch to Ajay Jadeja off Javagal Srinath. Dave Houghton and Guy Whittal were not able to make any big contributions and the team looked dead and buried. Zimbabwe 211 for 7. Some inspirational hitting by Craig Evans towards the end pushed the Zimbabwean total to a respectable one. After 50 overs they were 236 for 8. Prasad ended with the best figures of 49 for 3 in 10 overs with 1 maiden.
India started off poorly when Sachin Tendulkar was caught by Alistair Campbell off Eddo Brandes at the score of 10. Javagal Srinath was promoted up the batting order to do some quick hitting. However, it was to no avail and he made his way back to the pavilion. Mohammad Azharuddin, the Indian skipper failed to play a captains knock as he too was dismissed for a cheap score. Eddo Brandes had rocked the Indian top order when he took all the three wickets. India were tottering at 40 for 3. Rahul Dravid joined Sourav Ganguly to slow up things and rebuild the innings. The Indians knew that 236 was still achievable even after the early losses. The rebuilding process began but it was soon interrupted by some poor judgement by Rahul Dravid, who was run out. India were now at 85 for 4. Ajay Jadeja came in and started to play some positive cricket. Sourav Ganguly’s patience eventually ran out as he gifted a catch to Grant Flower off Craig Evans. India at 110 for 5. Saba Karim joined Ajay Jadeja and both of them began to accumulate runs in form of singles and couples. There was no boundary hit in the space, but the flow of runs was maintained by quick and positive running.
At the score of 166, Karim was caught by Paul Strang off his own bowling and suddenly the match swung in Zimbabwe’s favour. Robin Singh came in and began to show how to play in tense situations. He was not accompanied by Jadeja for long as the latter was bowled by Brandes. India’s 7th wicket had fallen at the score of 176. Anil Kumble joined Robin Singh, who was beginning to show his power play. Kumble could not survive for long and soon perished. India, 204 for 8. Robin Singh was playing brilliant cricket, but was losing out on partners. Salil Ankola gave able support to Robin and the pair carried India to 229 in the 49th over. A shocking mix up between the two saw Salil Ankola left stranded. 8 runs were required with 1 wicket remaining. It was all upto Robin Singh now to take India home. He only managed to level the scores and was dreadfully run out by Brandes with a ball to spare. India were all out for 236. Eddo Brandes was the hero for Zimbabwe with figures of 41 for 5 and the crucial run out of Robin Singh. He was adjudged the Man of the match for his performance along with Robin Singh.
What a match it proved out to be for the people of Paarl. It was a historic occasion as the first game to be played on the Boland Bank Park ground ended in a tie. This was not the first occasion when India and Zimbabwe were involved in a tied match. Their first tied match was at Indore in the 1993/94 Hero Cup. It was a great game of cricket. One that was thoroughly enjoyed by the neutral.