Unbeaten Ganguly hundred helps India storm to final

SOURAV GANGULY’S unbeaten hundred took India to their first World Cup final in 20 years after they beat Kenya

Fri, 21 Mar, 2003 - 00:00

91 runs in the day-night semi-final at Kingsmead yesterday.

Ganguly, who won the toss, produced a captain’s innings of 111 not out in India’s commanding 270 for four.

Kenya, the first non-Test nation ever to reach this stage of a World Cup, never looked like getting anywhere near such an imposing total, finishing on 179. India clash with defending champions Australia in Sunday’s final at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Ganguly, bidding to become the first India skipper to lift the World Cup since Kapil Dev in 1983, faced just 114 balls.

The left-hander reached his 22nd one-day international century in majestic form with his fifth and final six, off Martin Suji.

Ganguly’s third hundred in the tournament meant only team-mate Sachin Tendulkar, whose 83 took his record aggregate to 669 in this World Cup, had scored more than the Indian captain’s tally of 441.

Kenya’s hard-working attack lacked the pace to worry India although many boundary-destined shots slowed up after heavy rain.

But, not for the first time at this World Cup, Tendulkar got out when in sight of a hundred as he pulled Kenya skipper Steve Tikolo to deep midwicket where David Obuya took a well-judged catch. Tendulkar faced 101 balls and hit one six and five fours, putting on 103 in 120 balls with Ganguly, one of several impressive partnerships for the Indians.

After several close calls, India broke through in the ninth over when left-arm quick Zaheer Khan, the pick of the attack with three for 14, had Ravindu Shah (one) leg before.

And 20 for one soon became 21 for two when Peter Ongondo, holed out to Zaheer at mid-on off India’s other left-arm quick Ashish Nehra, for a five-ball nought.

After 15 overs the match was long over as a contest with Kenya 36 for four.

Kenya’s disappointing day was summed up by the run out of David Obuya for three following Mohammad Kaif’s throw to bowler Harbhajan Singh.

The match ended when Martin Suji was bowled by Zaheer with more than three overs remaining.