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| |  Friday, 26 October, 2001, 20:44 GMT 21:44 UK Ganguly at a loss Ganguly at a loss to explain India's poor showing in finals Indian captain Sourav Ganguly admitted he could see no solution as his team crashed to their ninth consecutive one-day tournament final defeat on Friday. India were easily overhauled by South Africa in the climax to the triangular tournament in Durban, the hosts passing India's 183 with almost eight overs remaining.
India's batsmen faired no better, beaten for pace and bounce on the Kingsmead wicket. "Our total wasn't enough and we were out-bowled by a better side," said Ganguly. "It's just not happening for us in finals. "We have to find some solution but I don't know what. "We've lost three this year and haven't played well in any." Batting positives Ganguly did take some consolation from the tournament, though, ahead of the Test series with the Proteas which begins in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
"Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendular and me are batting well," he said. "The spinners bowled well and so did the seamers in patches." Dravid was the side's only star on the night, making 77 to spare India's blushes. Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh each took a brace of wickets but fellow-spinner Anil Kumble was the most economical, conceding just 24 runs from his 10 overs. Openers toppled South African skipper Shaun Pollock took the man of the match award, taking a miserly 1-19 after a seemingly odd decision to bowl first on his home wicket. Pollock knew that both openers Ganguly and Tendulkar had to be dealt with early if his side were to emerge victorious.
And his partner played on to Nantie Hayward to leave India struggling at 31-2. "It was a bit of a gamble but we thought we were going to do what we did," said Pollock. "The guys backed it up well and it was nice to see Justin Kemp and Nantie Hayward so well." Pollock said that the move to Test cricket would involve a change of mindset but claimed his side were well-prepared. "We know how to adjust and hopefully we'll do it quickly," he said. | |
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