Cricket: Jittery Indians get home in the end

India survived some anxious moments to score a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on the fifth day of the second test in New Delhi yesterday to make a clean sweep of the series 2-0.

Set 122 to win, India lost quick wickets before reaching their target towards the end of the morning session.

Harbhajan Singh hit a straight six off paceman Heath Streak to complete victory after Zimbabwe had reduced the home team to 105 for six.

Sachin Tendulkar hit 42 from 52 balls, but left-arm spinner Raymond Price trapped India's master batsman leg-before and then also removed the experienced Rahul Dravid for six.

Streak also had opener Shiv Sundar Das leg-before for 31 in between to pile on the pressure, but Singh hit 14 not out to calm Indian nerves.

It was India's fourth successive home victory in a test series while Zimbabwe suffered their second consecutive series rout, having lost all three tests in Sri Lanka last month.

India scored 354 in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings 329 and then skittled the tourists for 146 on the fourth day.

* Australia completed another convincing win on their African tour yesterday when they beat South Africa A by an innings and 41 runs in Port Elizabeth.

It will not comfort South Africa's shaken test players to learn that Shane Watson, Stuart MacGill and Andrew Bichel - players who won't be picked for Friday's second test in Cape Town - were among Australia's most successful players on the third day.

Watson scored 100 not out in his international debut and MacGill claimed four for 114 and Bichel three for 41 as South Africa A were dismissed for 232 in their second innings with 13 overs remaining before stumps.

They were replying to Australia's 574 for nine declared, built on Watson's excellent century in 96 balls, and centuries by Justin Langer (161) and Mark Waugh (110).

Watson scored his second 50 from just 34 balls, hitting three sixes, including a shot over the mid-wicket fence to reach his second first-class century.

South Africa A started well before losing four for 37, including the wickets of Daryll Cullinan and Hisham Amla.

- AGENCIES