Record stand in vain for Zimbabwe
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Zimbabwe's Stuart Carlisle and Sean Ervine struck centuries and shared a record stand of 202, but India held on to win by three runs in their triangular series one-day match in Melbourne.
Zimbabwe suffered their fifth defeat in five games in the tournament that also features Australia, but emerged with great credit.
Carlisle made 109 and Ervine 100 as they almost produced an unlikely victory.
After their departure the task of making 281 proved too great and it was beyond Dion Ebrahim to hit the required six off the last ball as Zimbabwe finished on 277 for six.
"It's more of a disappointment to lose by that margin than by a big margin," Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak said. "All the guys are very disappointed."
Zimbabwe had made an impressive start to the match by reducing India to four for three before Vangipurappu Laxman hit his third century in a week to lift them to 280 for seven.
Laxman's career-best 131 from 138 balls at the Adelaide Oval followed his 103 not out against Australia last Sunday and an unbeaten 106 against the world champions on Thursday.
He also made 148 in the second test against Australia on the same ground in December.
"The ball comes onto the bat at Adelaide," said Laxman. "There's an even bounce and you can play your strokes probably better than anywhere in the world."
Laxman hit 13 fours and a six in a stunning display of elegant off drives, pull shots and wristy flicks to leg, in putting on 133 for the fourth wicket with Rahul Dravid, who made 56, and 118 for the fifth wicket with Rohan Gavaskar (54).
After Ajit Agarkar (3-39) grabbed two early wickets, Carlisle and Ervine dominated the India attack, establishing a record for any wicket for Zimbabwe in one-day internationals.
Ervine's run out, which ended his 100-ball knock that included nine fours and a six, then brought new energy to India, with Agarkar dismissing Carlisle for 109 in the 48th over.
Zimbabwe needed nine to win from the final over after Streak edged a boundary at the end of the 49th, but they could only manage five runs after they lost the hard-hitting Blignaut, caught by a diving Laxman, to Bangar for 12.
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