With the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup just days away, we build up to the mega event by looking back at some fantastic bowling performances in the tournament over the years. In the third part, we look at Ashish Nehra’s 6 for 23 for India against England during the 2003 World Cup at Kingsmead, Durban on February 26, 2003.
Teams
India: V Sehwag, S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, D Mongia, R Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, M Kaif, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, J Srinath and Ashish Nehra
England: M Trescothick, N Knight, M Vaughan, N Hussain, A Stewart, P Collingwood, A Flintoff, C White, R Irani, A Caddick and J Anderson
Toss: Indiawon, and chose to bat.
The setting: India got off to an impressive start batting first. Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar added 60 for the opening wicket in the first 10 overs before Sehwag was dismissed for a quick 23, caught and bowled by Andrew Flintoff. Sachin Tendulkar went on to complete a half-century, but was dismissed exactly on 50 from 52 balls with eight fours and one six. Flintoff was again the successful bowler. The openers sort of set the trend for India’s batting as many others got starts and got out.
Rahul Dravid top-scored for India with 62 from 72 balls with three fours and one six. Yuvraj Singh chipped in with 42 from 38 balls with four fours and one six. Dinesh Mongia, one of the surprise selections for the major tournament, made a slow 32 from 66 balls with three fours, at a strike rate of only 48. India managed a disappointing 250 for 9 in their 50 overs. For England, Flintoff finished with excellent figures of 2 for 15 from his 10 overs, and Andrew Caddick claimed 3 for 69.
The great bowling performance: AshishNehrawould have been the least of England’s worries in the chase. He wasn’t supposedly even fully fit for the game. But, he came in and delivered a magical spell, a rare occasion when he displayed his true potential. India were off to a good start as Mohammad Kaif ran out Nick Knight cheaply and Zaheer Khan sent back Marcus Trescothick to have England reeling at 18 for 2. The stage was thus set for Nehra to come in and turn himself into a hero. He began by having opposition skipper Naseer Hussain caught behind for 15. Michael Vaughan met with a similar fate as he fell for 20 from 47 balls.
That was just the starting for the left-arm pacer. Nehra trapped Alec Stewart lbw for a first-ball duck. He also got the big scalp of Paul Collingwood, dismissing him for 18 from 38 balls. Nehra finished off England by dismissing Craig White and Ronnie Irani, as England completely crumbled under pressure. He finished with 6 for 23 from 10 overs, with two maidens
The result: In spite ofFlintoff’sfighting 64, England folded up for 168 as India won the match comprehensively by 82 runs. Zaheer Khan claimed two wickets for India, and Javagal Srinath one.
--By A Cricket Analyst
