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Steyn’s heroics leave S Africa in command

Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers consolidated South Africa’s position with half-centuries after Dale Steyn sparked a sensational Indian collapse in the second Test yesterday.

The 24-year-old Steyn gave a magnificent display of fast bowling on a lively track to finish with 5-23 as India crashed to 76 in their first innings in one of their worst batting performances in recent years.

Kallis (60 not out) and De Villiers (59 not out) put on 106 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand to press home the advantage given by Steyn as South Africa reached 223-4 in reply at stumps, for a lead of 147 runs.

India made a horror start after winning the toss as their batsmen looked clueless against a quality pace attack led by Steyn, who bagged his eighth haul of five or more wickets in a Test innings.

Steyn was brilliantly supported by Makhaya Ntini (3-18) and Morne Morkel (2-20) as India were dismissed before lunch on the opening day for the first time in Test cricket. The innings lasted only 20 overs.

India’s total was their lowest against South Africa and the second-lowest at home in Tests. It was also their second-shortest innings, after 17 overs against England at Lord’s in 1974, when they were shot out for 42.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh briefly boosted India’s hopes of restricting South Africa’s lead with three wickets in four overs, but Kallis and De Villiers batted sensibly to deny the hosts further success.
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