Brendan Taylor’s magnificent century propels Zimbabwe to 287 against India in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Pool B Match 39 at Auckland

Auckland: Brendan Taylor’s brilliant 138 helped Zimbabwe score 287 against India in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 game at Eden Park, Auckland. Although this is an inconsequential game in context of the tournament, it would be remembered for Taylor’s fairytale farewell from international cricket. Having signed the Kolpak deal with Nottinghamshire, this was Taylor’s final innings at the highest level and he bid good bye in some style. Live Updates: India vs Zimbabwe

India won the toss and chose to bowl on a good batting wicket. It was quite a surprising decision considering the short boundaries and runs on offer. They came in with an unchanged side for the game, following MS Dhoni’s philosophy of maintaining the winning combination. In allowing Zimbabwe to bat first, India took a risk and allowed an unfancied side to put up a big total. Live Scorecard: India vs Zimbabwe

Add Cricket Country as a Preferred Source

However, the opening bowlers gave Dhoni no reason to complain. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav bowled a hostile spell upfront as the top order was jolted with a few strikes. Zimbabwe lost their openers inside the first five overs and were scoring at about two runs an over. Solomon Mire was then dismissed in the 11th over. At 33 for three, Sean Williams joined Taylor.

Taylor and Williams gradually increased the pace of scoring runs. They knocked the ball down the ground and worked the strike over when they got the opportunity. It was only when the spinners came on that they imposed themselves. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja conceded a total of 146 runs for one wicket in the 20 overs between them. That showed where Zimbabwe put India under pressure. In comparison, the fast bowlers were more effective, with the trio taking three apiece. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE

Williams and Taylor exploited the short boundaries and targeted the stands. Williams in particular was hard on Ashwin as he sent a couple over mid-wicket. They also used their feet to smash it down the ground. In tandem, they put up 93 runs, before Williams hit one straight back to Ashwin on completing his 50. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

Thereafter came the Taylor show as he took control. At one end, Craig Ervine rotated the strike, allowing Taylor to free his arms. The 109-run partnership between them came off 74 balls. Taylor continued to be severe on the spinners. A highlight of his innings was his sweeping. The reverse-sweep also made its appearance a couple of times. Taylor got to his ton off 99 balls. It was quite an acceleration after he got his fifty off 64 balls. He was dismissed for 138 when he tried to hit Mohit Sharma over the top and found mid-on.

Sikandar Raza came and slashed a 15-ball 28, but after Taylor’s dismissal Zimbabwe lost their last five wickets for 52 runs. Nevertheless, a total of 287 is a competitive one. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

Photo Gallery

Brief scores:

Zimbabwe 287 in 48.5 overs (Brendan Taylor 138, Sean Williams50; Mohammed Shami 3 for 48, Umesh Yadav 3 for 43, Mohit Sharma 3 for 48) vs India.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)