We have found our winning ways: Ganguly
Friday, March 14 2003 22:08 Hrs (IST)

Centurion (South Africa): Blowing the war-horn for India, skipper Saurav Ganguly on Friday said his teammates had found their winning ways and would not let the momentum get away.

"We have played very well in the tournament so far and we don't want to let it the winning streak which stretched to seven after today's win get away," Ganguly said after India laid to rest the ghosts of their disastrous New Zealand tour on under prepared pitches, overcoming the Kiwis by seven wickets in a World Cup Super Six match on Friday.

He said the important matches for the team were just around the corner and urged his players not to relax. Ganguly once again commended the sterling performance of his bowlers and fielders who restricted New Zealand to a low score of 146, which came immediately after their humbling of Sri Lanka which was dismissed for 109 on Monday.

The skipper, who won the toss and put the Kiwis in to bat in a surprising move, said he had made the decision on the basis of his team's earlier experience in Super Sports Park.

"This was our third game on this wicket and I had a feeling the ball would come on to the bat better in the second half," Ganguly said.

Man-of-the-match Zaheer Khan, who took four wickets for 42 runs, said he was glad that he was finally bowling up to his potential. "I was the one among the three pacemen who was not bowling up to my best, but today I came good.

"We (himself, Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra) are now clicking as a unit," Zaheer said. Zaheer also said he was "happy" for having reached the personal milestone of 100 One-day wickets on Friday.

India now plays Kenya in a day and night semi-final in Durban on March 20.

New Zealand captain Steven Fleming said the Kiwis were "never in the game" on Friday.

"It was a good pitch to bowl and would have favoured us if we had posted a bigger score. Posting a good score is very important in One-day games nowadays," Fleming said.

He is now keeping his fingers crossed on Saturday's Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe match. If the Lankans win, it will be curtains for the Kiwis but if Zimbabwe scores an upset win, the Black Caps will be through for a semi-final match-up with Australia on March 18.

"It's good luck to Zimbabwe now."

PTI

Extras:
Cool Dravid, crafty Kaif see India home, give SL a life