Nehra and Kumar strike, but too late
01 October, 2009
JOHANNESBURG: Pacemen Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar shared six wickets as India dismissed under-strength West Indies for 129 in an inconsequential Champions Trophy match here on Wednesday. India were knocked out of the competition following defending champions Australia`s tense two-wicket victory over Pakistan in a day match at Centurion on Wednesday, while the West Indies were already out of the tournament. Australia topped the four-team Group A with five points from three matches, followed by Pakistan (4/3). India have secured just one point and the West Indies none after two games. The top two sides advance to the semifinals. India`s slim hopes before this match rested first on a Pakistan victory over formidable Australia and then beating the West Indies in a day-night game. It was all over when Australia clinched a last-ball victory. Left-arm seamer Nehra finished with 3-31 and Kumar with 3-22 to boost India`s hopes of posting a consolation victory. Off-spinner Harbhajan also bowled well, taking 2-14 off eight overs. Darren Sammy (23), David Bernard (22) and Devon Smith (21) were the main scorers for the West Indies. Kumar struck with his sixth delivery when he had Andre Fletcher caught by former captain Rahul Dravid at first slip for no score. Dhoni, who turned seamer after the drinks interval, got his maiden wicket in One-day Internationals with his fourth delivery when he bowled Travis Dowlin for 14. Dinesh Karthik kept wickets in the remaining part of the innings. End.
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