Cricket: Kumble rumbles West Indies

India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225-7

West Indies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

India win by 102 runs

THE FINAL of the Hero Cup in which India beat the West Indies by 102 runs may have been an anti-climax but as an occasion it almost defied description. It was watched by a crowd of 101,000 at Eden Gardens and as India approached victory, it was greeted by scenes of passionate joy.

The West Indies put India in and allowed them to score 225 for 7. Apart from a brief flourish from Brian Lara, the West Indies never looked like getting near their target and were bowled out for 123 in 40.1 overs, with leg-spinner, Anil Kumble, taking 6 for 12 in 6.1 overs.

His first wicket was controversial: Roland Holder shuffled across his stumps to the topspinner and the ball went away behind the wicketkeeper. It was then noticed both bails were on the ground and the two umpires clearly did not see what had happened and decided to ask the third umpire to adjudicate.

He saw from the replay that Holder was bowled and gave him out, but the third umpire should never have been consulted for the rules state that he may only be asked to decide upon run-outs and stumpings.

It looked as if India would score at least 250 when Vinod Kambli and Mohammad Azharuddin had taken them to 161 for two by the 37th over. Both were out before another run was scored and it was left to Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev to take them to 225.

HERO CUP Final (Calcutta): India 225 for 7 (V G Kambli 68); West Indies 123 (A Kumble 6-12).