Nehra, Yuvraj star in India’s commanding victory

COLOMBO - Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh broke the back of New Zeland batting with inspiring spells as India scored a six-wicket victory in the Compaq Cup tri-series One-day International cricket at R. Premadasa Stadium here Friday.

India will face Sri Lanka in the final Sep 14 as New Zealand have lost both their matches.

India bowled out New Zealand for 155 runs in 46.3 overs, and romped home comfortably with 57 balls remaining.

Nehra (3-24) set up the match for India with crucial strikes upfront. Yuvraj (3-31) bowled a tight spell, while Rudra Pratap Singh (2-22) and Ishant Sharma (2-26) chipped in with two wickets each.

Sachin Tendulkar then stroked a fluent 46 off 55 balls with six fours in his favourite opening position.

Dinesh Kaarthick, replacing injured Gautam Gambhir as opener, was unlucky to be given lbw for four runs.

Rahul Dravid, who was returning to the One-day side after two years, struggled in his comeback match taking 65 balls for his 14.

Tendulkar and Dravid added 60 runs before India lost three quick wickets and were reduced to 84 for three.

It was the only time when New Zealand bowlers enjoyed an upper hand, but the target was too small for them to defend. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (35) and Suresh Raina (45) played composed knocks to ensure victory.

Playing after a gap of two months, the Indian team got off to a great start through the bowlers.

After India got to bowl first in the flat track, Nehra showed his old artistry with the ball to wreck the New Zealand innings.

Nehra, who came back into the team this year after four years, became “Man of the Match”. He struck with the second ball of the innings trapping Jesse Ryder leg before. The lanky fast bowler struck another blow, removing Brendon McCullum, plumb in front.

R.P. Singh had Ross Taylor caught behind and New Zealand were soon three wickets down with only 19 runs on the board.

Martin Guptill (22) and Grant Elliott (22) tried to stem the rot adding 22 runs, before Yuvraj claimed Guptill with Dravid taking a low catch.

New Zealand batsmen got the start with five batsmen getting out in the 20s but could not forge a big partnership. They were struggling at 66 for five.

Vettori (25), Jacob Oram and Neil Broom (24) showed some resistance, albeit for a brief period.