What looked like a good toss to win like the previous test, it ended up sort of nightmare for South African captain Smith. His team still has a chance to come back, nothing is lost, but at the current moment, end of day 1, India are in top of the game.
South Africa was dismissed for 265 at the end of day 1. What looked like a promising start after winning the toss, the combination of spin and pace attack created a chaos in South African batting line up.
McKenzie was playing well and threw his wicket unnecessarily. He hit Piyush Chawla for a straight four and with the same confidence, he came down the track, got beaten by the flighted leg spin and was well short of his crease. McKenzie and Smith added 4th consecutive 50 run partnership for the first wicket in this series.
As I mentioned in my column yesterday, Yuvaraj was used in the bowling attack. he broke the partnership between Smith and Amla, both are in good form. The quick flat delivery, bounced a little bit than anticipated by Smith, touched the glove and went to short leg fielder Jaffer.
Good bowling change by Dhoni gave the break through one more time. Amla was bowled by Ishanth Sharma of a beautiful delivery that came back and hit the back pad of Amla before dislodging the bail. One run later, Kallis, the centurian in the previous test, was bowled by Harbhajan. While trying to play back-foot and defend the ball, Kallis, misjudged it, and the ball pitched around off stump and turned nicely to hit the thigh, bounced and hit the back of the glove before hitting the stump. He was shocked and did not know what was happening. South Africa was struggling at 161 for 4.
Prince and de Villiers, the double century maker added 38 runs for the 5th wicket. The rash short by de Villiers against the leg spin of Piyush Chawla sent him back to the pavilion. The ball took the bottom of the bat and went to midwicket where Ganguly took it with thanks. One more time, Piyush has given the break-through.
Prince, who was alreday struggling in this series, was trapped leg before off Shewag. Though Shewag bowled round-the-wicket, the ball would have hit the off stump. Prince trying to play back-foot, was trapped in front of the wicket. He was out for 16, with South Africa at 215 for 6.
Next to go was Morkel. He tried to cut the ball from Harbhajan, but the turn and bounce took the edge and went straight to Dravid in slips. With this catch, he has equalled the record of Fleming, who is in 2nd position as far as catching in test cricket is concerned. He has to take 10 more to become the highest catch taker in test cricket history.
Boucher who has to manage with the tail enders, could not do much. He was bowled by Ishanth Sharma for 29. The ball kept low, but he could have played it. The pace and the swing did the magic for Ishanth. South Africa were 264 for 8.
Harbhajan dismissed Steyn for a duck. He tried to play reverse sweep, but it took the edge and went to substitute fielder Kaif in slip.
Last man to go was Harris. He tried to give huge slog over long on, but the ball uprooted his leg stump and ended the first innings of South Africa.
India has a very good chance of equalling the series if they put on a good score on the board. The first session tomorrow will be crucial for India. At one stage, South Africa were 151 for 2 and they lost 8 wickets for 104 runs. So, if India can put on around 400 plus, it will be able to see a winning chance and retain it's 2nd position in the test ranking.
The entire innings witnessed two sixes from Smith--one off Piyush Chawla and the other one off Yuvaraj.
Short Score:
South Africa 265 all out in 87.3 overs (McKenzie 36, Smith 69, Amla 51, de Villiers 25, Boucher 29, Ishanth Sharma 3 for 55, Harbhajan Singh 3 for 52, Piyush Chawla 2 for 66)
