Cricket: Dillon's decisive burst

THE PACE bowler Mervyn Dillon captured the key Indian wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin cheaply as West Indies swept into the Wills International Cup final yesterday. The man-of-the-match Dillon finished with 3 for 38 as India were restricted to 242 for 6 in their 50 overs and West Indies completed a six-wicket semi-final win at 245 for 4 with three overs remaining. The West Indies now face South Africa in the day-night final today.

Dillon was in effect supported by new-ball partner Reon King, who conceded only 26 runs in his 10 overs, and West Indies subsequently pressed home their advantage when Shivnarine Chanderpaul stroked 74 at a run a ball. Dillon reduced India to 21 for 2 by having Tendulkar, who had made eight, caught in the slips by Carl Hooper diving to his right, and then trapped Azharuddin leg before for one. In his last over, Dillon bowled wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia for 25 as the batsman made room to hit over the top.

The West Indian-born Robin Singh had earlier led India's recovery from 125 for 4 with a sparkling 73 off 63 balls, as he added 84 for the sixth wicket with Mongia. Singh hit three towering sixes - two over long-on and one over midwicket - and five fours.

The West Indies went for the runs right from the start of their 50 overs - Philo Wallace hit a six off the first ball of the innings. They lost the opener Stuart Williams in the third over, but not before the score had raced to 27, as Williams and Wallace smashed Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar all over the ground.

Chanderpaul was aggressive from the start and added 81 with Wallace for the second wicket in 85 balls, and another 35 with Brian Lara for the fourth wicket. The West Indian skipper and Keith Arthurton then patiently picked off the runs. Lara remained unbeaten on 60, and Arthurton on 40.