— Photo: K. Pichumani

IMPERIOUS: Mahendra Singh Dhoni dispatches one to the fence during his entertaining century on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Until Justin Kemp, the captain, was around, swatting sixes and generally treating the ball as if it were a fly, Africa XI was in with a chance. Kemp (86, 78b, 3x4, 7x6) and Pollock (58 not out, 49b, 3x4, 2x6) produced a rearguard action, putting on 122 in 88 balls, but Harbhajan Singh bowled a tidy last over to ensure a 13-run win for Asia XI at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday. In the event, Asia blanked Africa 3-0 in the Afro-Asia Cup cricket tournament.

Early damage

Mohammed Rafique did the early damage after A.B. deVilliers and Vusi Sibanda had put on a century stand for the first wicket, picking two wickets in two deliveries; he came back and pushed one through to get rid of Kemp to decisively swing the match.

Wresting the advantage

Earlier, brilliantly paced centuries from M.S. Dhoni and captain Mahela Jayawardene helped Asia wrest the advantage back from Africa after the Asians had lost their first five wickets for 72.

The Asians, having won the toss for the third consecutive match, finished on 331 for eight in their allotted 50 overs. Dhoni remained unbeaten on 139 off just 97 deliveries.

Jayawardene's was a chanceless knock — the impeccable placement and control that characterised his century in the World Cup semifinal were evident in this one too. He drove, cut and pulled with equal felicity, and shepherded the Asian innings until Dhoni broke loose at the death.

Stepping on the pedal

The last ten overs produced 108 runs, as first the duo, then Dhoni by himself, stepped on the pedal. The Sri Lankan captain and the Indian talisman brought up their century partnership in 115 balls, and the double off just 166 — that is, the second hundred was racked up in 51 deliveries. Dhoni caught up with Jayawardene as their individual centuries approached; in all he smacked five sixes and fifteen fours. The part-time bowlers were carted around as Steve Tikolo conceded 59 runs from four overs. Elton Chigumbura's final two overs went for 34.

The scores:

Asia XI: V. Sehwag c Kemp b M. Morkel 8, S. Jayasuriya c Botha b Ongondo 13, U. Tharanga c de Villiers b Ongondo 10, Y. Singh b Chigumbura 31, M. Yousuf c Dippenaar b Ongondo 2, M. Jayawardene c Botha b M. Morkel 107, M. Dhoni (not out) 139, M. Mortaza c M. Morkel b Chigumbura 1, H. Singh b M. Morkel 4, M. Rafique (not out) 0; Extras (b-4, lb-2, nb-2, w-8): 16; Total (for eight wkts. in 50 overs): 331.

Power Plays: PP1: 1-10: 47/3; PP2: 11-15: 66/3; PP3: 20-24: 141/3.

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-30, 3-45, 4-51, 5-72, 6-290, 7-309, 8-315.

Africa XI bowling: M. Morkel 10-0-50-3; Ongondo 10-2-35-3; Chigumbura 10-0-77-2; Kemp 2-0-9-0; Botha 10-1-49-0; Tikolo 4-0-59-0; Sibanda 2-0-24-0; de Villiers 2-0-22-0.

Africa XI: A.B. de Villiers c Mortaza b Rafique 70, V. Sibanda st. Dhoni b Rafique 45, B. Dippenaar c Yuvraj b Rafique 0, S. Tikolo st. Dhoni b Harbhajan 11, J. Kemp b Rafique 86, M. Boucher st. Dhoni b Harbhajan 7, S. Pollock (not out) 58, E. Chigumbura b Harbhajan 4, J. Botha (not out) 18; Extras (lb-9, nb-1, w-9): 19; Total (for seven wkts. in 50 overs): 318.

Power Plays: PP1: 1-10: 66/0; PP2: 11-15: 92/0; PP3: 20-24: 141/4.

Fall of wickets: 1-117, 2-117, 3-138, 4-149, 5-159, 6-281, 7-290.

Asia XI bowling: Asif 10-1-62-0, Mortaza 9-1-51-0, Rafique 10-0-65-4, Jayasuriya 10-0-73-0, Harbhajan 10-0-48-3, Yuvraj 1-0-10-0.

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