Flower and Ebrahim earn captain's praise

Zimbabwe skipper Stuart Carlisle praised batsmen Andy Flower and Dion Ebrahim, who made half-centuries to put their team in a solid position on the first day of the second Test against India on Thursday.

Flower struck 92 off 164 balls and Ebrahim was unbeaten on a 183-ball 82 to enable Zimbabwe to finish the day at 260 for six.

"Andy Flower batted really well and Ebrahim gave him great support," Carlisle told reporters after the pair shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 116..

Flower, who has topped the world Test batting ratings in his career, struggled for form in the last series in Sri Lanka and fell cheaply in both innings during India's innings win in the first Test in Nagpur earlier this week.

"Andy was obviously under tremendous pressure," Carlisle said. "After having a great tour in India last time, there were lots of expectations and its great to have him back in form."

Flower scored 540 runs at an average of 270 in a two-Test series in India in late 2000.

"Andy knows that when you're not in great form, the best way to play is straight and with minimal risk.

"That's what he did today. I'm sure once he gets more confident, he'll even start playing the reverse sweep he used to great effect against India last time," Carlisle said.

STRONGER POSITION

But Carlisle, who was out for a duck in the day's first over, said he had expected his team to finish in a stronger position.

"The first three-quarters of the day was really good for us, but then we threw away a couple of wickets cheaply," he said.

"We shouldn't have been more than four wickets down."

Flower's bother Grant was the fifth wicket to fall when he was run out after a mix-up with Ebrahim attempting a sharp single.

Former captain Heath Streak was dismissed soon afterwards, dragging a delivery from leg-spinner Anil Kumble on to his stumps.

But Carlisle felt the target of 400 he had in mind when electing to bat first was still achievable.

"Getting 400 to 450 runs on this flat wicket is essential, and we can still get it," he said.

"Ebrahim is batting well and could be poised for a big hundred and Travis Friend (seven not out) has batted really well for us recently."

Carlisle said if Zimbabwe passed 400 he was confident they could put pressure on the Indian batsmen by attacking with left-arm spinner Raymond Price, who claimed a five-wicket haul in Nagpur.

"We only have one spinner, but Price been bowling really well," Carlisle said. "He could be enough for us here."

Mail Cricket Editor