Jacques Kallis struck a masterful century to put South Africa in control on the second day of the deciding third Test against India at Newlands yesterday.
Kallis made 161, his 39th Test hundred, to lift the hosts to 362 all out as India limped to 49 for two in reply at tea.
Talismanic opening batsman Virender Sehwag made only 13 before South Africa captain Graeme Smith dived forward to scoop up a low catch at mid-off after the batsman tried to drive an away-swinger from Dale Steyn.
PHOTO: AFP
Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid suffered a few scares before Dravid was run out in bizarre fashion for five.
Gambhir edged a drive off left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe to gully, where Alviro Petersen was unable to hold a difficult diving catch. However, AB de Villiers -reacted quickly, sliding to stop the ball, quickly getting back to his feet and throwing down the stumps as Dravid attempted a quick single.
India’s hopes once again lie with Sachin Tendulkar, who was on eight not out at the break with Gambhir on 22.
India earlier struggled to end the South African inning as the last two wickets added 79 with Kallis well supported by tailenders Paul Harris and Tsotsobe.
The touring side, seeking their first series win in South Africa, looked set to bowl the hosts out when Shanthakumaran Sreesanth struck twice in his first over with the new ball.
Sreesanth bowled Ashwell Prince for 47 with a magnificent ball that jagged back sharply to hit the left-hander’s off-stump and the next delivery nipped away to have Mark Boucher caught behind for a golden duck.
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