India captain Saurav Ganguly defended his bowling tactics while arguing that his team's desperately one-sided cricket World Cup semifinal win over Kenya on Thursday was good preparation to meet Australia.
Ganguly, who set up the 91-run win with an unbeaten century in the day-nighter, was asked why he bowled a string
of occassional bowlers rather than try to kill off the outclassed Kenyans after they had slumped to 92 for six.
"We wanted to give everybody a chance to bowl," he said, arguing Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag might have to bowl in Sunday's final at The Wanderers in Johannesburg.
India had not played for six days before meeting Kenya on Thursday and produced a low-key, error-strewn display in the field even though they were never under threat after winning the toss and making 270 for four.
Kenya's reply of 179 all out included 39 in extras, the second biggest contribution after Steve Tikolo hit 56, including two sixes and two fours and 21 runs off a Yuvraj Singh over.
Neither Javagal Srinath (one wicket for 11) nor fellow pace bowler Ashish Nehra (two for 11) were given their full 10 overs. Yuvraj Singh's six overs went for 43.
Asked if the match had been a good warm-up for Ricky Ponting's Australians, Ganguly replied: "I think it was a good preparation. Winning the last eight games in a row, that is definitely good preparation for a World Cup final."
India's only defeat in the tournament came when the Australians beat them by nine wickets in the first round, bowling them out for 125, their lowest total in any World Cup. Ricky Ponting's side then rattled up the winning runs in 22.2 overs.
Around 18,000 spectators attended Thursday's game although some 2000-3000 had left well before the end.
- REUTERS
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