Amit Mishra eyes India Test spot

Harare: Amit Mishra has set his sights on a place in India’s Test side for the tour of South Africa later this year after spinning the tourists to victory in the third One-Day International at Harare Sports Club.

Mishra claimed figures of 4 for 47 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 183 on Sunday, before India cruised to a seven-wicket win and an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The 30-year-old leg-spinner has not played a Test since India’s tour of England in 2011, and although he faces stiff competition for a place in the squad to South Africa he has been making good use of the series against Zimbabwe.

Mishra has claimed nine wickets in the first three matches, becoming the top wicket-taker in conditions that have not provided much assistance to spinners.

“I’m not in the Test side, but I’ll try and do my job in the next two matches, and then it’s up to the selectors,” he said.

Six of Mishra’s wickets have come from his well-disguised googly, while another variation accounted for Sikandar Raza in the first ODI.

“I’ve done lots of hard work on my googlies and variations and it’s paying off,” Mishra said. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this, I’m doing my best and it’s working for me now.”

Meanwhile, India’s stand-in skipper Virat Kohli said he was thriving on the responsibility of leading the team.

With India struggling at 67-2, Kohli walked in and led from the front with an unbeaten 68.

“It was important to win to seal the series,” he said. “Early breakthroughs with the ball, and not that difficult a total to chase down. We are not setting any goals, did not think we had to seal the series today. Zimbabwe still have some inexperience in the line-up and it is about gaining experience. I am one of the few experienced guys in this side and I am trying to take responsibility.”

The India captain also had words of praise for the Zimbabwean fast bowlers.

“Their bowlers have bowled in good areas, they know how to bowl on these wickets, they are using the two new balls well,” he said. “Our fast bowlers can learn from them.”

Having seen his side post another inadequate total, Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor put his team’s struggles with the bat down to a mental problem.

Zimbabwe have not crossed 240 in the series so far, with Raza’s 82 in the first match their highest individual score.

“I don’t think we’re mentally sharp enough,” Taylor said. “We’re just not making the precise decisions at the right time and not putting a real price on our wickets. You’ll see when they [India] bat they generally grind it out and they don’t give it away.”

With Zimbabwe’s central contracts on the verge of expiring, Taylor confirmed that 37-year-old spinner Ray Price had decided to retire from international cricket.

Price, who played 22 Tests and 102 one-day internationals, had not represented Zimbabwe since March as a young group of spinners phased him out of the side.

“Pricey’s called it a day,” Taylor said. “If he was going to play it was going to be here in Harare. We’re going to miss his experience, but in saying that it does give our young spinners who are coming through a great opportunity.”