In a thrilling match of constant fluctuation, Zimbabwe finally won throughover India by four wickets in the second Test at Harare on Monday. Theirheroes on the final day were Heath Streak and Andy Blignaut with the balland then, when the Zimbabwe challenge was faltering, Stuart Carlisle stoodfirm and saw his team home to their sixth victory in 52 Tests, and theirfourth at the Harare Sports Club. Against expectations, Zimbabwe levelledthe two-match series with India, who are left still waiting their firstoverseas series win since 1986.
It turned out that the loss of Rahul Dravid in the final over of the thirdday, reducing India to 197 for four, was the turning point of the innings -and the match - as in the first half-hour of the morning Zimbabwe rippedopen the Indian middle order, seizing four wickets for 10 runs.
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Saurav Ganguly's poor run on form continued. He had still not scored whenAndy Blignaut made a ball straighten on him and trapped him lbw, playingback instead of forward. The next blow was the loss of Shiv Sunder Das (70),who unwisely shouldered arms to Heath Streak and was also dismissed lbw,television upholding both decisions as good. India, 202 for six, now reliedon debutant Hemang Badani and their lower order.
With no further addition, Ajit Agarkar drove loosely at a ball from Streakswinging away, to be caught at the wicket, and next ball Harbhajan Singhslashed at a similar delivery and only just edged it over the slips forfour. Harbhajan continued to live dangerously and two balls later he skied acatch just clear of cover, and down at the other end a leading edge offBlignaut was caught at short cover by the diving Dion Ebrahim in an effortthat drew comparisons with Jonty Rhodes. India were sensationally reeling at207 for eight.
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Badani and Javagal Srinath dug in for 35 minutes until Streak returned forhis second spell after drinks, and immediately had Srinath (3) caught at thewicket. Ashish Nehra (0) hung on manfully for a further 24 minutes beforelosing his off stump to Blignaut, but during that time Badani (16 not out)was able to add only one scoring shot, a pull for six over square leg.Blignaut finished with five wickets for 74 and Streak four for 46.
India were all out for 234, leaving Zimbabwe 157 to win. Zimbabwe had scored162 for three to beat Pakistan at Peshawar in 1998/99, but this was theironly previous instance of successfully chasing a target against a seniorTest team. It was going to be a stern test of confidence and temperament forthe Zimbabwean players, most of whom were either untested or found wantingin such situations. The memory of their failure to reach 99 to beat WestIndies just over a year ago would have been fresh in their memories,although under more adverse conditions.
Ganguly began with an attacking field. But Guy Whittall (8) and Dion Ebrahim(6) responded positively, leaving Zimbabwe 17 without loss at lunch.India broke through soon after lunch with the wicket or Whittall (10),caught off bat and pad off Srinath. This inspired the bowler to greaterefforts as he worked up a real pace, but Harbhajan took the next wicket,Ebrahim (20), also caught off bat and pad. At 45 for two, the Zimbabweinnings was at the crossroads.
Alistair Campbell and Stuart Carlisle put together a brief partnershipbefore the former, once again failing to put together a score in keepingwith his ability, fell lbw to Nehra for 13. Grant Flower came in ahead ofAndy, who was nursing a thumb injury, but there were now signs that Zimbabwewere beginning to clam up under the pressure. Harbhajan bowled his 11 oversbefore tea for just eight runs.
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At the interval Zimbabwe were 86 for three, 71 short of victory. GrantFlower (3) fell in the second over afterwards, caught at second slip offAgarkar to put Zimbabwe's backs to the wall at 89 for four. Carlislegradually began to open up and play his strokes positively, and the tensionbegan to relax as he ran to his fifty. The tension rose again as Streak (8)drove loosely at Agarkar to be caught at the wicket, making the score 119for five.
Blignaut (16) played a few aggressive strokes, but tried it once too oftenagainst Nehra and was bowled, middle stump, at 144 for six. In came theinjured Andy Flower, and to him fell the honour of scoring the winning runs,a sweetly-timed cover drive for four. Carlisle finished unbeaten with 62while Flower was eight not out.
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At the prize distribution ceremony, a jubilant Streak dedicated the victoryto Trevor Madondo. Shiv Sunder Das was adjudged man of the series and AndyBlignaut was given the man of the match award.
