September 23 Monday 2002
Ton-up Sehwag, Ganguly power India into semis

COLOMBO: Opener Virender Sehwag and skipper Sourav Ganguly struck brilliant hundreds as India stormed into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a crushing eight-wicket win over England on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Sehwag tore into the England new-ball attack to smash 126 from only 102 deliveries for his second one-day hundred as India chased 270 in the deciding pool 2 game. They coasted to 271 for two with 10.3 overs to spare to make England's 269 for seven after electing to bat look far too small.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly remained 117 not out after completing his 19th one-day century, having played the supporting role early on as Sehwag cut loose from the start. India will meet former champions South Africa in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

The stocky Sehwag had hammered 100 from 69 balls against New Zealand in Colombo last year to register the seventh fastest one-day hundred. He looked set to better that on Sunday as he raced to 50 from 37 balls, playing stunning shots through cover and the straight field to leave the England pace attack in total disarray.

The Delhi batsman took only 77 deliveries to reach his hundred, smashing 21 fours and a six in all to collect 90 of his runs in boundaries. He was eventually caught and bowled by left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell in the 29th over, but that only marginally slowed the Indian victory push. Ganguly hit 12 fours and three huge sixes, facing 109 balls and bringing up his century by hoisting Blackwell over midwicket for six.

Fast bowlers Andy Caddick, Matthew Hoggard and Dominic Cork all bore the brunt of Sehwag's assault, which included a slashed six over third man against Caddick.

Sehwag's domination was so complete that he had scored 71 of India's first 100 runs, Ganguly contributing only 18. England were left to rue what could have been, after second slip Nick Knight could get only his finger tips to a Sehwag edge against Caddick in the third over with the batsman on three in a total of six.

England got off to a horror start to be reduced to 7-2 before Blackwell top-scored with 82 from 68 balls to build on a patient 50 by opener Nick Knight.

The 24-year-old Somerset all-rounder hit six fours and three sixes and dominated a racy 104-run sixth wicket stand with veteran Alec Stewart (35).

Playing only his second one-dayer, Blackwell got on top of the Indian attack to give England a respectable total that had looked remote earlier on.