Great win for India, Zaheer is proving to be a very good bowler for India. This should be a lesson to other bowlers when bowling pitches like Centurion, just use the seam and things will go your way, both Nehra and Zaheer used the seem and they were gifted with wickets.
But New Zealand batted pathetically, the first 2 wickets were literally gifted from McMillan and Astle, but overall a good Indian performance.
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*Originally posted by UMAIR316: *
Great win for India, Zaheer is proving to be a very good bowler for India. This should be a lesson to other bowlers when bowling pitches like Centurion, just use the seam and things will go your way, both Nehra and Zaheer used the seem and they were gifted with wickets.
But New Zealand batted pathetically, the first 2 wickets were literally gifted from McMillan and Astle, but overall a good Indian performance.
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I always said Zaheer is a very improved bowler.But you never beliebved me because thought Indian can never have any good bowlers. ;)
It would seriously be a good encounter if we could witness a Sri Lanka vs. India Final, which was not played in the ICC Champions Trophy in Sept.
India sure is a 1st class cricketing team now. Gone are the days when people made fun of them.
Every team needs a player like Dravid. He is simply brilliant.
What a minute.......
Centurion Park is a batting pitch. Batsmen like Anwar, Tendulkar, Davison and Lara have scored runs. Bret Lee and Shoaib Akhtar have been smashed all over the ground. Then, how come it turned out to be a bowlers day?
Simple. Accurate line and length bowling from Zaheer Khan. Congratulations Zaheer for reaching the milestone of 100 wickets. Early damage to the Black Caps kept them pressurized from start to the end. Fleming just couldn't believe it as his side lost, wished Zimbabwe good luck against Sri Lanka. It was a nice pay back from India!
The drop catch of Dravid could have turned the game. Oh well, that's all history.
[thumb=B]_38956029_stephenf300ap.JPG[/thumb]
*Frustrated Fleming. *
fleming sums it up very nicely. u have to agree that indian bowlers have come good in this WC.
Munnabhai
Fleming puts Indian attack on par with Australia’s
March 14, 2003 23:45 IST
After his team’s demolition by the Indian pacemen, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was Friday forced to put them on par with the Australian bowling attack.
“I am impressed with your left-armers. They are very handy,” said Fleming whose side is all but out of contention of the World Cup after the 7-wicket thrashing by India.
“Your fifth bowler is a worry but it’s the same with Australia. At the moment the main bowlers are providing Sourav Ganguly with some good options,” he said and then went about praising left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra.
“Nehra in bowling particularly well and he has good rhythm. He is deceptively skiddy and quick,” Fleming said about the bowler who was responsible for putting the brakes on New Zealand’s scoring.
“He was outstanding. Zaheer Khan got the wickets but I thought Nehra bowled a fantastic spell.”
New Zealand’s fate in the World Cup now hangs on the result of Saturday’s match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. If Sri Lanka win, New Zealand are out of the competition.
Fleming conceded his side had never looked like a serious contender in the tournament.
“We never got the feeling we were in a rhythm to win the World Cup. It’s a tough campaign and we were too stuttering. We never really got into the stride,” he said.
New Zealand sneaked into the Super Six stage after rains forced South Africa and Sri Lanka to split points in the last league game in Pool B.
“Last time we were pretty close to packing our bags. I guess we should now go through the same routine,” Fleming said.
New Zealand were skittled for 146 in 45.1 overs after being surprisingly put into bat by the Indian skipper. Fleming said he would have elected to bat had he won the toss.
“I would have batted. There were cracks on the strip and if we had a good score, it would have been tough for the Indians to chase,” he said.
“It wasn’t a collapse. It was bad form all through. We didn’t give our 100 per cent on such an occasion and such a brilliant batting pitch. I have no answer for it except being very disappointed.”
Fleming acknowledged the efforts of Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif, who saw their side through with their 129-run unfinished partnership, but said the match was won by the Indian bowlers.
“I have no doubt it was the Indian bowlers,” he said. "When you are chasing 147, even when early wickets are lost, the batsmen can take their time to reassess the situation, judge the bowling and then go about scoring.
“Having said that, Kaif and Dravid batted very well. Dravid is a quality player and both had a good opportunity to get into rhythm,” he said.
Kaif and Dravid came together when India were in trouble at 21 for three in the fifth over. Dravid, who finished unbeaten on 53, could have been out for one had wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum not dropped a straight forward chance. Kaif, who made 68 not out, was also lucky in the early part of the innings when a few uppish drives just eluded the fielders.
"Dropped catches are always disappointing, more so because it involved Rahul. But 146 was never enough. To win the game, you needed to take all the chances.
“As for that dropped chance by Brendon, I could not really see it because I had tears in my eye,” he said.
When did you say that?
Quite putting words in people’s mouths. :nono:
I don’t like Ganguly’s attitude in following article.
**
We want Sri Lanka in final, says Indian captain
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly rejoiced at his team’s seven-wicket triumph over New Zealand, then hoped Sri Lanka will play them in the World Cup final.
The Indian win virtually knocked the Kiwis out of contention and gave Sri Lanka a chance to enter the semi-finals if they defeat Zimbabwe, already eliminated, at East London on Saturday.
“It was just another win for us, but there were other factors involved as we want Sri Lanka to play Australia in the first semi-final at Port Elizabeth,” said Ganguly, whose team play Kenya in the other semi-final at Durban on Thursday.
"I think Sri Lanka have a very good chance to beat the Aussies on that slow Port Elizabeth wicket.
“Frankly, we would rather face Sri Lanka in the final than Australia, but the Sri Lankans will have to beat Zimbabwe first and then Australia.”
Ganguly said the win over the Kiwis did not settle scores of the 2-0 rout in the Tests and the 5-2 defeat in the one-dayers which India suffered on the tour of New Zealand before the World Cup.
“I said before the match we just wanted to win and there was no grudge. We played well and deserved to win. But the win over Pakistan was the biggest, much bigger than this.”
The Indian captain, however, took a swipe at former New Zealand skipper Martin Crowe, who had suggested during that tour that Ganguly should resign his post.
“All I can say is that I still see him in the commentary box,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly surprised many people by winning the toss and electing to field but it was a decision which paid rich dividends as his side celebrated their eighth win in nine World Cup matches here.
“This is our third game at Centurion and I knew that the wicket gets better in the afternoon,” said the skipper.
Shane Bond had given New Zealand some early hope with the wickets of Virender Sehwag for one and Ganguly, who made three, while Daryl Tuffey accounted for Sachin Tendulkar after the maestro had made 15.
But Mohammad Kaif, with 68, and Rahul Dravid, 53, saw India to victory.
“I have said all along that we have lots of match-winners in the team and the middle order proved it today,” Ganguly said.
"I believe a team needs to enjoy the game and we are enjoying our performance and the dressing room has a fantastic, enjoyable atmosphere.
“Off the field we are enjoying the company of each other and winning game after game adds to the enjoyment.”
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming was, meanwhile, left hoping for a miracle which would carry his team into the semi-finals along with Australia, India and Kenya.
“I guess it’s good luck to Zimbabwe now,” said Fleming after his side were bowled out for just 146 before India fought back from 21-3 to finish on 150-3 in 40.4 overs.
“We batted really poorly. It was a good wicket and to score 146 just won’t cut it,” said Fleming.
“We could have been more positive. It’s all or nothing with us.”
The Sri Lankans, meanwhile, could not hide their glee at their unexpected reprieve.
“The game’s on,” said coach Dav Whatmore after spending a tension-packed day watching the India-New Zealand match on television in his East London hotel room.
“You’ll find a very committed team on Saturday morning. With the result having gone our way, the boys will be jumping out of their skins now.”**
If Ganguly thinks his team is good enough to win the WC, his team should beat the best in business.
Hummm…remember those days when I said Zaheer is better than Waqar on basis of current performace.You never believed that an Indian can be good bolwer. 
Guess what yesterday cairn and today fleming said that Indian bowling is at par with Aussies.
I know its little exaggeration but definitly Indian bowling is better than England,Pakistan and West Indies.
Hooooraaaay! India won! Fantastic! Hope they win forthcoming matches too!
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*Originally posted by aravamudhan: *
Hooooraaaay! India won! Fantastic! Hope they win forthcoming matches too!
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Yep and Sri Lankan must be happy.If Sri Lankan went on to win worldcup then they owe Indians a Party.
May be not..we are one billion... lol
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*Originally posted by allah_ka_banda: *
Yep and Sri Lankan must be happy.If Sri Lankan went on to win worldcup then they owe Indians a Party.
May be not..we are one billion... lol
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Look at Murali... seems like they barely have enough to feed him let alone feed Indians. :)
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*Originally posted by LahoriMunda: *
Look at Murali... seems like they barely have enough to feed him let alone feed Indians. :)
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HA HA LM...
But see their seamers, looks like they are eating all of Murali's food.
Tell me you are kidding right. 
These guys maybe in good form but comparing them to Shoaib, Wasim and Waqar.
You are funny, man I didn’t know you had humorus side.
Shoaib Akhtar is a joke even if I dont take the recent India-Pak match into account...... I wouldn't want a loud-mouth injury-prone pace maniac in my side..... Waqar Younis is no longer what he used to be..... Only Wasim Akram remains effective and deadly but its only a matter of time before he retires... so where does that leave the Pak bowling dept...it may still be good but it wouldn't be quite the same......
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Some1: *
**Shoaib Akhtar* is a joke even if I dont take the recent India-Pak match into account...... I wouldn't want a loud-mouth injury-prone pace maniac in my side..... Waqar Younis is no longer what he used to be..... Only Wasim Akram remains effective and deadly but its only a matter of time before he retires... so where does that leave the Pak bowling dept...it may still be good but it wouldn't be quite the same......
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So soon as the player runs out of form you people come in and start talking junk, where were you when he was at top of his game, he plays couple of bad matches and he is crap.
I can tell you sir every player goes through bad phases of his career, even once the great Tedulkar got out to 3 straight ducks against ordinary West Indies, and look at where he is now today.
india outplayed kiwis...
Zaheer khan is the man of the match and kaif scored a splendid 60 and 'Mr Reliable' Rahul Dravid also hit a 50...
congrats india ....
SL 168-2 (39.3)
M Atapattu 77(103)
A de Silva 20(28)
Zim O M R W
D Marillier 10 0 43 1
S Matsikenyeri 0.3 0 2 0
Curr. RR 4.25 | Req. RR
Last wkt: Gunawardene c & b Marillier 41
Toss: SL elected to bat
:k:
This answers you.
On the basis of last 1 year form excluding world cup Waqar and Shob come no where close to Zaheer.
And if u take worldcup then they are not even close to his ankles..
Stop praising your lousy attack.Gone are the day when they were best no they are lousy.
So SL won.
Are we looking at WC final same as ICC final. ;)
I think SL can beat AUS in that slow wicket.Just play 2 regular spinners and back it up with Jaysurya and DeSilva.
Is Dharmsena in team??
Australia lose against Sri Lanka ? I dont think so, Srilankan batting is not in form right now.