South Africa take series despite blazing Yusuf ton

South Africa 250 for (Amla 116*, van Wyk 56, Munaf 3-50) beat India (Yusuf 105, Morkel 4-52) by 33 runs by the D/L method

Image Index Previous Next Enlarge

In pic: Yusuf Pathan celebrates his second ODI century © AFP

Hashim Amla's century was his sixth in ODIs in the last 12 months © Associated Press Enlarge

Yusuf Pathan launched the sort of assault that has made him a rich man to ensure it wasn't all one-way in Centurion but it wasn't enough to prevent South Africa from snatching the series with a 33-run victory. After a tough tour over the past month-and-a-half, the last day of the series seemed set to be an anti-climactic non-scrap courtesy yet another Hashim Amla century and a slew of reckless strokes from the Indians.

Yusuf, though, blasted a century of utter violence when all looked lost, and after an hour of Yusuf, the South African bowling was looking clueless and India were 49 short, dreaming of a miraculous win. Yusuf clubbed a 68-ball century but holed out soon after, much to the relief of the Sunday crowd at Supersport Park.

The tour had begun with South Africa's crushing Test victory in Centurion and ends with another defeat for the visitors at the same venue. One reason India's bowlers will be thrilled to be heading back home will be that there will be less sparring with Amla, who has plundered more than 1100 runs in the past 11 months against India in Tests and one-dayers. He collected another 116 on Sunday to push South Africa to a tall total in a rain-hit match.

MS Dhoni had chosen to bowl on winning the toss, perhaps swayed by Supersport Park's reputation of being a ground where it is easy to chase in day games. No matter what the past record, though, it is unlikely any team can win when its top-order combusts so spectacularly and heedlessly as India's did. Barring Virat Kohli, the rest of the top six were dismissed not by unplayable deliveries but by attempts at extravagant strokes.

Rohit Sharma's horror series ended as he was bowled by Lonwabo Tsotsobe going for a loose drive through the line; Dhoni's imperious cut ended as an edge to first slip; Yuvraj Singh edged two boundaries to third man before giving catching practice to JP Duminy at point; Suresh Raina smashed a couple of fours before an upper cut sailed to third man; Parthiv Patel was the only one in the top order to inspire confidence, middling nearly every ball for the second innings in a row before falling to a debatable diving catch by Faf du Plessis at cover. India were 74 for 6 in the 14th over, and their only hope of saving the series seemed to be if the ominous clouds circling the stadium brought a massive downpour which washed away the match before the 20th over.

Enter Yusuf. He fell over reverse-sweeping Robin Peterson for a six early in his innings, but the wickets kept tumbling and India slid to 119 for 8. With Zaheer Khan adopting a blithe step-away-and-swing approach, the end seemed minutes away, but he knuckled down after some initial scares and kept turning the strike over to Yusuf.

Indian fans would have nursed little hopes even when bursts of hitting took Yusuf to 66 off 58, and India moved to 175 for 8 in the 33rd over. That all changed as Yusuf pounded three sixes and three fours in the next three overs to race to his century, and a 21-run over from Tsotsobe brought the required-rate below five. Yusuf skied another attempted blast down the ground, and du Plessis latched on to it to settle South African nerves.

Yusuf's ton was in absolute contrast to Amla's in the morning, when the South African chose patience over pyrotechnics to coolly compile his runs - he reached his half-century on the back of 30 consecutive singles. After Graeme Smith's troubles against Zaheer Khan continued - again unsure of how the ball will jag around, he nicked to second slip - Amla let No. 3 Morne van Wyk be the aggressor.

van Wyk grew in confidence as his innings progressed, unleashing a series of powerful cuts whenever he was given width, and even pulling off an audacious lap-shot off Munaf Patel for four.

India went in with only two quick bowlers, and their armada of spinners didn't pose too many questions to the South African batsmen. South Africa glided to 113 for 1 before Yuvraj plucked a spectacular caught-and-bowled to send back van Wyk, and had AB de Villiers stumped with a sharply turning delivery.

Amla and Duminy, the home side's two form batsmen this series, both had lives - Duminy surviving a close lbw shout and Amla dropped at square leg - and revived South Africa with a 102-run stand. The standout shot in Amla's innings was the dab to third man, perfectly timing the ball as he opened the face to pick up several boundaries, one of which brought up his century.

In the four overs that remained after an 80-minute stoppage, South Africa lost their heads and plenty of wickets as panicky running, smart bowling and attempted slogging combined to result in a collapse of 6 for 24. Amla played only two deliveries in those last four overs. India went into lunch on a high, but there was little joy for them after the break till Yusuf's heroics, and their dreams of a maiden series win in South Africa were shattered. -ESPNcricinfo

India's World Cup squad announced; Rohit, Sreesanth omitted

Young batsman Rohit Sharma and pacer S Sreesanth were today omitted from India's 15-member squad for the upcoming cricket World Cup to be held in the sub-continent from February 19.

Tamil Nadu spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also a useful batsman, and Piyush Chawla were named in the squad to be captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and which includes most of the star players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.

The national selectors, who met for one and half hours to finalise the team here, picked three specialist spinners considering that the high profile-event will be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Praveen Kumar, who are nursing injuries and have been ruled out of the ongoing one-day series against South Africa, have been included in the squad announced by BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan.

Left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel, who were among the front-runners to make the cut, failed to find a berth.

India is one of the favourites for the 14-team tournament, which commences with a match between India and Bangladesh at Dhaka on Feb 19.

The final will be played in Mumbai on April 2.

India's World Cup squad:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain), Virender Sehwag (Vice Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, R Ashwin, Piyush Chawla. -Agencies

Kallis' superhuman effort deflates India

South Africa 362 and 341 (Kallis 109*, Boucher 55, Harbhajan 7-120) lead India 364 by 339 runs

In pic: Jacques Kallis was in pain, but that did not prevent him from playing a priceless innings for South Africa © Getty Images

Jacques Kallis was immense, for the second time in this deciding Test, and his strength of will and mastery of technique dragged South Africa out of danger and then gave them the strongest advantage enjoyed by either team in this gripping contest. Kallis battled the challenges posed by India's bowlers on a wearing pitch, and the constraints and pain of a side strain, to become the only South African to score two centuries in a Test at home. His partnerships of 103 with Mark Boucher, who was also under pressure to perform, and 54 with Dale Steyn came after India were rampant, and they put South Africa in pole position to win the series. The stand of 46 with Morne Morkel simply poured acid into India's gaping wounds.

India's performance during the first session of this pivotal day was aggressive, but they couldn't have been more listless in the second and third. On a pitch with cracks that were widening, rough areas that were worsening and bounce that was becoming increasingly variable, India took three wickets and conceded only 69 runs before lunch. They even picked up the sixth wicket soon after the break, when South Africa's lead was only 128. And then they went to pot, largely due to Kallis' skill and Boucher's grit, but also because Harbhajan Singh ran out of ideas, Zaheer Khan's pace and fitness levels plummeted, and Ishant Sharma's lines and lengths were atrocious. South Africa added 91 for 1 in the second session, and 129 for 3 in the last. Harbhajan finished with 7 for 120 but only after South Africa's tailenders, Lonwabo Tsotsobe included, hit him around.

Kallis began his masterpiece in the second over of the morning, after Harbhajan had spun an offbreak viciously to trap Alviro Petersen lbw on the back foot. He watched Hashim Amla deflect another offbreak off his arm onto the stumps while sweeping. South Africa had lost 4 for 14.

The leg-side field was packed for Harbhajan, with fielders at short leg, leg gully, midwicket, square leg and a man on the boundary. Kallis saw empty expanses on the off side and sent the ball to the point and third-man boundaries by reverse-sweeping Harbhajan. He was playing against the turn, against the bounce, but used the stroke effectively and forced Dhoni to change his field. Kallis then countered Harbhajan by staying back, moving across, playing extremely late and taking the bottom hand off the bat while fending the ball down on the leg side.

AB de Villiers struggled to score against Sreesanth, who operated on a tight length outside off stump. Zaheer too kept him quiet, with balls that angled in from round the wicket before seaming away off the pitch. It was the one that came back in that got the wicket, the ball uprooting off and middle stump as de Villiers was late in pulling out of the shot. Kallis continued to battle, the bowling and his injured side. When he pressed forward to one delivery from Harbhajan that spat up at him, he had to jerk to fend it down. He survived it, but was clutching his ribs in pain and lay down on the ground. It was a sight that his cheering fans at Newlands saw several times today.

After lunch, Kallis continued performing with uninterrupted resolve. India didn't. Ishant was lucky to dismiss Prince with a short and wide delivery that was slashed to point, but it was his lines against Boucher that marked the beginning of India's slide. Boucher glanced two deliveries down leg side to the boundary and slapped a wide ball through cover. Ishant's lines and lengths were so erratic that MS Dhoni had no choice but to take him off.

Harbhajan continued to turn the ball, and the odd one jumped, but his attack became predictable and Boucher soon got used to it. Kallis had got used to it long ago. India's biggest concern, though, was Zaheer, who returned for a two-over spell an hour after lunch and bowled at speeds between 115 and 120 kph. He moved the ball at harmless speeds.

South Africa's lead passed 150, Kallis became his country's highest run-scorer for a three-Test series, and when he straight drove Ishant to the boundary to reach his half-century, the Newlands crowd loved it. In the first over after tea, Kallis repeated that shot against Sreesanth.

Boucher had taken tea on 46, having scored most of his runs on the leg side through sweeps and glances. A back-foot push off Harbhajan on the off, though, brought up his 50 off 74 balls and its briskness was instrumental in blunting India. It took a shooter from Sachin Tendulkar, bowling the 80th over, to trap him lbw.

India took the new ball immediately and Steyn mowed a short one from Sreesanth over deep midwicket for six. The lead swelled past 250. Steyn then welcomed Harbhajan's new spell with a monstrous hit over wide long-on. Harbhajan eventually picked up his fifth wicket - Steyn - 28 overs after his fourth.

Kallis watched his partners clout and go but he remained steady and unbeaten. A non-descript single to square leg off Harbhajan brought up his 40th century, moving clear of Ricky Ponting's tally of 39. Graeme Smith led the cheers in the dressing room, the Indians applauded and Newlands celebrated its superhero. Kallis took of his helmet and beamed, betraying not a trace of the discomfort he was in. It was his finest moment in his finest Test. -ESPNcricinfo

Laxman, Zaheer achieve career-best rankings after Durban win

The match-winning 96-run knock in the Durban Test today catapulted VVS Laxman to a career-best ninth in the batting chart while paceman Zaheer Khan's good show also helped him touch his career-best mark of number four in the bowling list of latest ICC rankings. Laxman's effort in the second innings played a pivotal role in India's 87-run win, which helped India level the three-match series 1-1, and also pushed him six places up.



It is for the first time that Laxman has entered into the top-10 zone. The wristy Hyderabadi is now the third Indian batsman inside the top-10 with Sachin Tendulkar sitting in the second position and Virender Sehwag occupying the fourth spot. Zaheer Khan recorded figures of 3-36 and 3-57 in India's win at Durban and has been rewarded with a jump of three places which puts him along side James Anderson of England. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has also improved his ranking by two places and is now in eighth position after match figures of 6-80.

Paceman S Sreesanth jumped lifted six places to 27th position after match figures of 4-86. In contrast, South Africa's top four batsmen failed to retain their places. Jacques Kallis slipped to fifth (down by two places), AB de Villiers to sixth (down by one place), Hashim Amla to 12th (down by three places) and Graeme Smith to 14th (down by three places). For South Africa, the only consolation is that Dale Steyn has strengthened his number-one ranking by opening up 83 points advantage over his closest rival, Graeme Swann of England. Steyn is now just three ratings points away from reaching the 900-point mark. Steyn took 6-50 and 2-60, for which he earned 21 ratings points giving him a career-best rating of 897.

If Steyn manages to earn three more ratings points in Cape Town, he will become only the second South Africa bowler after Shaun Pollock (November 1999) and 20th overall to reach the 900-point mark which, in rankings terms, is the benchmark for top bowlers. Meanwhile England's Jonathan Trott, whose undefeated 168 helped England to take a 415-run first innings lead which eventually resulted in an innings and 157 runs victory over Australia, has climbed seven places to claim third position.

Trott is now just nine ratings points behind Tendulkar. The two can swap places depending on how they perform in the final Tests of the series which start in Sydney and Cape Town, respectively next week. The other England batsmen moving in the right direction are Alastair Cook in 13th position (up by one place) and Kevin Pietersen in 21st spot (up by four places). The news is not very good for Australia whose top-order batsmen have taken a dive in the rankings.

Mike Hussey has dropped four places to share 10th position with Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera, Shane Watson has fallen two places to 15th spot. Michael Clarke has slipped three places to 24th position and Ricky Ponting has dropped to 29th place, one behind England captain Andrew Strauss. -PTI

Now we can say we've done well in most places: Dhoni

DURBAN: Relieved after notching up a series-equalising win against South Africa in the second Test, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today's triumph and performance of the past couple of years has shown that the team can do well anywhere in the world. "More often than not you are one-down in a series. I said in the first press conference that we don't start well. We're more used to batting under pressure," he said after the 87-run win in the second Test here. "We started this process around September 2008 and two years hence we're in a position where we can say we have done well in most places," he added.

Speaking about the match, Dhoni said getting prolific all-rounder Jacques Kallis' wicket was the key in a game which had fortunes swinging everyday. "Most of their batsmen have done well in the last few series. What was important for us was to put the line-up under pressure. This meant that we had to take early wickets and keep on taking wickets. The timing of getting Kallis, and AB (de Villiers) was important," he said.

With this win, Dhoni equalled Mohammad Azharuddin's winning record as captain and said the results show that he has a good side under him. "What it means is that we've played consistent cricket over a period of time. Of course it's a proud moment. As a team whether it's batting, bowling or fielding we've done consistently well. "We've taken some good catches despite not being a brilliant ground fielding side. It feels really good that we've done well together," he said.

India won the match despite big guns such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid failing to score and Dhoni said it goes to show the depth in the side. "It's not about being proud if someone is not performing. What's important is how you back each other, and the way you enjoy each others' success. Of course (Cheteshwar) Pujara got a chance, his intent was very good, he was positive," he said. "Our batting line-up is one of the most experienced around. If you see, in some matches some individuals will perform and others will perform in different games. What is important is doing well as a batting and bowling department," he added.

Dhoni conceded that conditions are a challenge in South Africa but said the team has the ability to conquer them. "Some of the conditions may not suit your batting side. We're not born in South Africa so we don't have the experience of these conditions. 70-80 per cent of our cricket we play in the subcontinent, so when we come to these conditions it's challenging for our side. "As a side and as individuals you want to do well but it doesn't always go your way. If you see the touring schedule we last came here in 2006. There's a long gap in the middle. Everybody wants to perform, but every challenge is a new challenge," he said.

Dhoni played down the on-field antics of flamboyant pacer S Sreesanth, who grabbed three wickets in the second innings, and said he is fine with it as long as the bowler doesn't violate the disciplinary code. "There's nothing called over-aggression till you don't cross the limit. There are some guidelines that needed to be followed and there are no other lines saying over aggression or under aggression. You need to be yourself but still not get into someone else's space. You should go beyond what the guidelines say," he said.

Dhoni made light of his losing streak at the toss, saying that he has no complaints as long as the team goes on to win the match. "One thing for sure I'm very consistent at losing tosses. In some places, like Centurion, it becomes really tough. The first day was the toughest that we faced. When we batted in the second innings we got a huge score but the deficit was so huge we couldn't really come back," he said. "Toss at times can be really crucial. In this game it didn't really matter but it's always good to win the toss and put the opposition in when there's some help for the bowlers," he added.

With one more Test to go in the series, Dhoni parried questions on whether today's win has silenced critics of the team. "As I always say we never play under less pressure. When we play Bangladesh we have the same pressure as when playing Australia or South Africa. It doesn't matter where we play. Our batsmen have batted in difficult situations more than the batting line-ups of other teams," he said. "Of course our Test line-up has guys with a lot of experience and that counts. We also have a few youngsters who are part of the side, who can be groomed under them. Hopefully they will become as good when the time comes for them to take the place of the seniors," he added. -PTI

"Anyone is free to express their mind and they may have a certain opinion on a certain individual. It's up to that individual to change those mindsets. You have to go back to the nets, work on your basics, do well and wait for your chance. When you get your chance you can always prove them wrong. I feel it's basically upto the individual's mindset, not about criticism or appreciation."

The captain of the world's number one Test side also refused to compare the triumph with any past win. "I don't believe in rating wins. Every win is special in its own way, whether you win at Kanpur, Eden Gardens or somewhere else in the world, it means a lot," he said. "It's not just about one victory. Then what about we have been doing in the last few years? All those wins have an impact on the confidence and morale of the side. As a cricketer it's important to see what you have control over. on winning percentage," he added.

Dhoni lavished praise on pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, saying the bowler's sheer presence takes off a lot of pressure. "If you look at the positives the youngsters are getting groomed under Zaheer. Of course, it's the coach's job to groom all the players but when you have someone like Zaheer it reduces the coach's workload by 50 per cent. "Also Zaheer is very good under pressure. He doesn't panic in tough situations and he convinces bowlers about the fields they should set and the lines and lengths they should bowl," he said.

The match has also given India a bit of an injury scare to deal with in VVS Laxman, who is nursing a bad back. Dhoni refused to comment on the exact state of Laxman's injury. "That's one thing that's beyond my control, it's between the physio and Laxman. Hopefully it will be ok for the next few years. He played a very special innings. We always count on Laxman. Whenever you see him not scoring in a couple of innings you know something very special is coming," he said. "It was one of those wickets where it was quite tough to convince yourself that you're set because one odd ball may do something and get you out. At the end of the day the 96-odd runs that he made mattered. It would have been lovely if he got to a hundred, but you don't always get what you want," he added.

Zaheer's experience helped the other bowlers too: Dhoni

DURBAN: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lauded his bowlers for making a splendid comeback in their 87-run win at Durban after being sent for a leatherhunt during the first Test match at the Centurion.

In pic: Zaheer Khan in action on the fourth morning © Getty Images

The skipper had special words of praise for pace spearhead Zaheer Khan. "After the first Test, we came back nicely as far as batting was concerned, but we were a bit concerned about our ability to take 20 wickets. Very happy to see the bowlers bounce back here," the Indian captain said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

About Zaheer's performance (six wickets in the match), the skipper said, "I have always maintained that Zaheer has been the best fast bowler that India have had in recent times. He has the ability to execute his plans well. Even if his primary plan doesn't work out, he has a Plan B ready. Also him being around, even the other bowlers get a lot of help."

The captain also had words of praise for his senior-most bowler Harbhajan Singh. "Harbhajan has been a great performer for India over last 10 years. It's always great to have him in the side. He did a great job as he bowled long spells from one end as the fast bowlers weren't getting much help from that end." For someone who hasn't exactly been lucky with the coin, Dhoni smiled and said, "It is very predictable for me to lose the toss." "The wicket didn't misbehave on the first day as we thought it would before the match. I felt that 200-odd was a decent score. After we got 70 plus lead, I was confident of doing well. Obviously we need to improve on our second innings batting. We would like to improve further and win the Test match at Cape Town."

When asked about the New Year Plans, Dhoni said, "We have a day off tomorrow and we can shop a lot. We will party in the night but not get drunk." Dhoni's South African counterpart Graeme Smith was graceful in admitting that the visitors really played well. "India have played really well. It has been a very good Test. We fought hard, but couldn't get across the line. We didn't bat well after a long time. Our batsmen have let us down. We have some work to do before Cape Town. It's disappointing not to chase down the target today," Smith said.

The South African captain admitted that Indians kept up the pressure and credit should be given to Dhoni and his boys. "India kept up the pressure, and credit to Dhoni and his team for bouncing back. They are No. 1 in the world. We have to see how we can bounce back now." VVS Laxman feels that his 96 today will be right up there among some of the memorable knocks that he has played over the years. "I always take pride in what I do overseas. Beating South Africa in South Africa, that too in Durban, it is definitely up there. In Durban, you need to get adjusted to the bounce. I waited for that and got a good partnership with Zaheer," Laxman said. -PTI

India level series by 87-run win

India 205 and 228 beat South Africa 131 and 215 (Sreesanth 3-35, Zaheer 3-57) by 87 runs

India emphasised that they are poor travellers no more by pulling off a series-levelling win in Durban, where they had suffered one of their worst Test defeats in 1996. The victory in Kingsmead, after a humiliating loss in the first Test in Centurion, joins the other famous successes over the past decade at some of the world's most fast-bowler friendly tracks - Headingley, Jamaica, Nottingham, Johannesburg and Perth.

In pic: Sachin Tendulkar claims a stump as a souvenir after India's win © AFP

The match was even at the start of the fourth day, but India's bowlers barely sent down a bad ball in the morning session to seize control of the Test. A Sreesanth snorter to Jacques Kallis started South Africa's slide, before two lbws - one a marginal decision and the other a howler - that are sure to refuel the UDRS debate, hurt them further. Ashwell Prince tried to resist but India plugged away to remove the tail an hour into the second session and set up a decider in Cape Town next week.

If the match has to-and-fro-ed over the week, so has Sreesanth's bowling form. The wayward, antic-loving Sreesanth was missing on the fourth morning, as he sent down an accurate spell of sustained hostility. The highlight was in the seventh over of the day - an utterly unplayable bouncer which reared up sharply and jagged in to Kallis, who had no way to avoid it, arched his back in an attempt to get out of the way, but could only glove it to gully. It was the snorter that was needed to remove the kingpin of South Africa's batting. They was no over-the-top Sreesanth celebration, just a fist pump before getting back to business.

That wicket put India slightly ahead, and there was no doubt who were front-runners after AB de Villiers decided to not offer a shot to a Harbhajan Singh delivery from round the wicket. He was struck in front of middle and looked lbw and the umpire agreed, though Hawk-Eye suggested the ball would have bounced over the stumps.

Over a decade in international cricket, Mark Boucher has built his reputation as a scrapper, and with Prince also around, it wasn't yet lights out for South Africa. Boucher, though, made only one before he was given lbw to a delivery that was angling across him and going to comfortably miss off stump.

South Africa had lost three wickets, and there was still no boundary in the morning, a testament to the scarcity of bad deliveries. When the first four did come, from Dale Steyn, it was an edge to third man. Steyn had pinged Zaheer Khan on the helmet with a quick bouncer on Tuesday, and the Indian responded with a string of short balls to the South African spearhead. After three of those, Zaheer slipped in a fuller delivery, which Steyn duly nicked to slip.

At 155 for 7, with lunch still 45 minutes away, the game looked set for a quick finish. Prince and Paul Harris, however, resisted with some dour batting, in addition to a couple of confident boundaries from Prince. They batted out the 10 overs to the break, but a pumped-up Zaheer, chatting to the batsmen after nearly every ball, ended the stand in his first over after the resumption that with a peach that crashed into Harris' off stump.

Prince and Morne Morkel then stood firm for an hour, reducing the required runs to double digits. The frustration seemed to have ended when Ishant Sharma had Morkel wafting to gully, but that turned out to be his regulation wicket off a no-ball. In his next over, though, he didn't overstep as he extracted the edge off Morkel to Dhoni. Two balls later, an alert Cheteshwar Pujara threw down the stumps from short leg catching the No. 11 Lonwabo Tsotsobe short, and sparking celebrations. The Indians were ready to grab the stumps as souvenirs, when they realised the third umpire was called for. The umpire confirmed the dismissal, and there was no stopping the celebrations this time round. -Cricinfo

Zaheer, Harbhajan helps India take 74-run lead

South Africa 131 for 10 (Amla 33) trail India 205 (Steyn 6-50) by 74 runs

Zaheer Khan's return made an immediate impact as Graeme Smith departed early allowing India to test South Africa's middle order © AFP

Zaheer Khan showed how important he was to the Indian attack by removing both openers on the second morning in Durban as India fought back after a ruthless performance from South Africa's quicks. The fortuitous run-out of Jacques Kallis boosted them further, before a hitherto off-colour Sreesanth produced a jaffa to remove the in-form AB de Villiers.

On the first day, the track had plenty of juice making life difficult for the Indian batsmen, but with the sun shining on the second day, they expected an easier time - only for eight wickets to fall for 96 runs before lunch. The first four of those were the Indian tail-enders, which didn't tilt the game's balance much, but the remaining were South African top-order dismissals which helped India level the match.

Zaheer was accurate, extracting movement and frequently mouthing off at the batsmen. He had little support though, with Sreesanth wasting the new ball by regularly bowling down the leg. Zaheer stuck at it, and was rewarded with the wicket of Graeme Smith - for the 10th time in Tests - as a leaden-footed prod ended in MS Dhoni's gloves.

Alviro Petersen had begun fluently, dining on the freebies from Sreesanth, but like other batsmen in this match, he too didn't convert his start. On 24, he walked across to a Zaheer delivery and looked to work it towards the leg-side but the ball deflected onto the leg stump off his pad.

If there were any worries in the South African camp, they were doused by the soothing sight of Hashim Amla, continuing to be in supreme form, highlighted by a backfoot cover drive off Ishant Sharma. Kallis had also picked up a couple of early boundaries, and with ten minutes to lunch South Africa were looking good to end the session without further casualties.

That wasn't to be, though, as Ishant half-fielded a drive from Amla, the ball was parried onto the stumps at the non-striker's end, catching a diving Kallis short. Worse followed for South Africa, when de Villiers was taken out by a ripper from Sreesanth, bouncing sharply and cutting away to surprise the batsman, who thumbed it to the keeper.

India's batsmen had struggled as well earlier on. Much depended on the overnight pair of Harbhajan Singh and MS Dhoni but neither inspired much confidence: Harbhajan was reprieved at second slip by Kallis in the second over of the day, and Dhoni was worked over by Steyn in the next. Harbhajan kept prodding at deliveries outside off, and was dismissed soon after, snaffled brilliantly by de Villiers at third slip. Zaheer followed, stuck on the crease to a full ball and nicking it to the keeper.

Dhoni decided to go after the bowling, smashing Steyn for a six over long-off, one ball after top-edging an attempted pull over the keeper. The counterattack was brief as he holed out to sweeper cover for 35 to give Steyn his sixth wicket of the innings. Two deliveries later, Sreesanth picked up a golden duck, a wild swing swirling high and landing in Mark Boucher's gloves.- Cricinfo

Zaheer Khan may return, Yadav, Pujara may play too

After centurion loss, India hope Zaheer returns in Durban; Yadav, Pujara may play too

There could be wholesale changes to the Indian XI for the second

Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban with Zaheer Khan getting fitter, Umesh Yadav impressing bowling coach Eric Simons with his pace and bounce, and Cheteshwar Pujara pushing under-performing Suresh Raina for a spot in the middle-order.

Zaheer Khan bowls during a nets session earlier this year in Bangalore. PIC/Getty Images

Skipper MS Dhoni feels that Zaheer's experience would help a lot. "That would be a big boost because he brings a lot of experience. He also brings new plans to the table," said Dhoni.

On Sunday, during the lunch interval when India had their backs against the wall, reeling on 277-6, the bench players were seen putting in a strenuous workout session alongside coach Gary Kirsten, mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton and Simons.

With India's fast bowlers failing to trouble the Proteas in the first Test here at SuperSport Park, the strapping Yadav could force his way into the team. "I am enjoying bowling on these tracks. I was here last year for the IPL (for Delhi Daredevils) too," said Yadav.

So would he be ready if called up for the Durban Test? "It is a good learning curve to be in this dressing room. I am not thinking far ahead. The captain has told me to just enjoy myself," said Yadav.

Pujara, too, is ready just in case he is called up in place of Raina: "Spending time at Gary Kirsten's academy was very useful. There is lot of bounce in these pitches, you needs to alter your batting style to succeed. It is a great challenge to do well here.

"I am happy with my preparations. I would be ready if called upon to play, I'm not thinking about it though," added Pujara.

Kirsten fended off a bouncer thrown at him by this correspondent with a pinch of sarcasm. When asked if a better performance was expected at Durban, Kirsten said: "No mate, we are going to put up an even worse performance," he laughed before adding, "of course, we will look to put up a better showing at Durban. The morale in the team is good."

Zak is back
Meanwhile, it was an encouraging sign to see pace spearhead Zaheer bowl in the nets. He was seen being attended to by team physio Paul Close. "Zaheer is doing a lot better now. It is good to see him bowling in the nets. He could be fit for Durban. Hope he can recover," Close said minutes after the net session.

S Sreesanth, who led the attack in the absence of Zaheer here, blamed the toss for India's debacle: "Wish we had first use of the wicket. We could have done a lot better in the game then. The pitch flattened out too much as the match progressed," he said.

A glance at India's record at Durban does not make for good reading. But, the team management is doing everything in its capacity to keep the spirits high in the dressing room.

India keep shaky New Zealand to 224

New Zealand 224 for 9 (Franklin 72*, Zaheer 2-31) v India

	In pic: Zaheer Khan didn't take long to find form after returning from an injury layoff

New Zealand's one-day woes continued into a ninth straight game as their batting failed to cope with moist early-morning conditions in Vadodara. Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel swung and seamed the ball all right, but New Zealand will look back at how unremarkable their response was. The openers gifted their wickets, the middle order went into a shell, and only a fighting 94-run eighth-wicket stand between James Franklin and Nathan McCullum rendered respectability to their effort.

New Zealand would have been far worse off had Kane Williamson and Scott Styris not survived plumb lbw shouts early on the innings. The two calls got New Zealand 42 extra runs.

Zaheer returned to the side to find a welcome mat laid out by Brendon McCullum, who guided a widish delivery straight to second slip. Martin Guptill, who looked the most at ease, ran himself out soon. He hit straight to Gautam Gambhir, who had placed himself halfway between the stumps and the 30-yard circle, and ran off for a suicidal single.

Between those two dismissals, Williamson set the template for the day. His front foot went across to the first ball he faced. It swing in down the leg side to be called a wide, but Williamson had fallen over trying to correct the movement. Neither Williamson nor Ross Taylor could get rid of that tendency during their short stays. Taylor's wicket, though, came in a tame fashion as he went to drive Zaheer. The shot was played away from his body, and an inside edge ensued.

Taylor's No. 4 position has been a matter of debate with observers stating he should take more responsibility and bat at No. 3. Williamson's lack of ability to counterattack only seemed to highlight the notion. For the third game running, Williamson got off to a slow start, and did little to hit Munaf off his plan.

Munaf loves to bowl back of a length, just outside off, and wobble the bowl slightly either way. However, he tends to get a bit rattled when somebody uses that predictability to come down and hit him. In this series, though, no one has come close to doing that. And once Williamson allowed Munaf to do what he wanted, that lbw call seemed a matter of time with the batsman regularly falling over.

Once again, Styris was the most purposeful New Zealand batsman. He might have enjoyed two strokes of good luck, but he showed some intent, hitting Ashish Nehra for two boundaries through the covers in the 17th over.

Modern captains tend to go into the containment mode once the 15th over ends irrespective of how many wickets they might have got. Gambhir, who had put New Zealand in, was refreshingly old-school. When he saw R Ashwin turn the first ball, he set Test-match fields for Styris and James Franklin. Yuvraj, at leg slip, soon came into action taking a sharp low catch to send Styris back. Daniel Vettori followed did a McCullum, guiding Yusuf Pathan straight to slip for another sharp catch for Yuvraj, who later moved to leg slip to get rid of Gareth Hopkins too.

Having fallen behind the over-rate, though, Gambhir omitted to use four of Zaheer and Nehra's overs. Facing part-time spinners on a pitch that had eased out a bit, Franklin and N. McCullum had little trouble building a partnership. For about 14 overs, the bowlers didn't go out of their way to take wickets, and the batsman didn't go out of their way to score runs. That shouldn't take away from the batsmen: they could only face what was being bowled at them.

In the 45th over, they called for the Powerplay, but Gambhir still kept back the two fast bowlers. It was almost as if he was not concerned at all by the growing partnership. Eight came off the first Poweplay over, nine off the second, 14 off the third, but Gambhir brought back the fast bowlers only for the last two overs.

Franklin, responsible for much of the damage in the Powerplay, ended up with his first ODI fifty.

Mohali test update Day 2

Oct 2, (PTI)

Following are statistical highlights of the second day of the first cricket Test between India and Australia here today. # Mitchell Johnson, during the course of his brilliant 47 off 66 balls, has become the 12th Australian all-rounder to accomplish the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets. # Johnson's aforesaid innings is the highest by number eight Australian batsman at PCA Stadium, Mohali. # Johnson and Tim Paine have shared a 82-run stand -- a partnership record for Australia for the seventh wicket at Mohali. # Doug Bollinger has recorded his third duck in Tests -- one each against Pakistan, the West Indies and India. # Zaheer Khan (5/94) is the second bowler to capture five wickets in an innings for India against Australia at Mohali. In the 2008-09 Test, Amit Mishra had claimed five for 71. # Virender Sehwag's outstanding knock (59 off 54 balls) is his eighth fifty against Australia -- his 23rd in Tests. # Among the batsmen with 300 runs or more in Tests in 2010, Sehwag's strike rate of 92.69 is the highest. # Sehwag's aggregate of 850 in eight Tests is the third highest in 2010, next only to Jonathan Trott (England) -- 880 and Sachin Tendulkar (India) -- 867. # With fifty-plus in eleven Tests in a row, Sehwag has equalled a record, held by West Indian Viv Richards and India's Gautam Gambhir. # Paine (92) has recorded his maiden Test half-century, bettering the 47 against Pakistan at Lord's in July 2010. # Zaheer Khan has now taken five wickets in an innings 10 times -- three times against Australia. # Zaheer has bagged five wickets in an innings at home three times -- twice against Australia and once against Sri Lanka. # Zaheer has taken his wickets' tally to 27 at 22.40 runs apiece in five Tests -- the most by an Indian bowler in 2010. # Australia (428) have recorded their best total at PCA Stadium, Mohali -- their first total of 300-plus at this venue. # Shane Watson's well-compiled second Test hundred (126) is his best innings, outstripping the 120 not out against Pakistan at Melbourne in December, 2009. # Pragyan Ojha has bowled marvellously, capturing just one wicket, his economy rate of 2.18 is his best in a Test innings when he bowled at least 25 overs in an innings. # Hilfenhaus and Paine put on 54 for the ninth wicket -- Australia's best at Mohali. # In three successive innings against Australia at Mohali, Virender Sehwag and Gambhir have registered opening stands of 50-plus -- 70 and 182 in 2008 and 81 on the second day of the present Test. # Ishant Sharma, for the first time, has delivered 10 no-balls -- the most bowled by him in a Test innings.

Gambhir defends bowlers, blames 'flat track'

By PTI

Chandigarh: Board President's XI captain Gautam Gambhir today defended his unimpressive bowlers and blamed a flat track for their lackluster show on the opening day of the warm-up match against Australia here. "Bowlers did a good job. There was not too much in the wicket. Our bowlers were up against a quality side and they had to bowl on a flat track.

Still, they did a decent job," Gambhir told at the post-match press conference. All the Indian bowlers proved quite expensive at a lifeless Sector 16 stadium pitch as Australia piled up a huge 319 for one on the first day, with the openers Shane Watson (115) and Simon Katich (104 retired hurt) producing a 232-run opening partnership. Gambhir also defended pacer S Sreesanth, who failed to impress, giving away 41 runs in his 13 overs without any success, saying fast bowlers take time to rediscover the rhythm after an injury lay-off. "He (Sreesanth) is coming back after an injury. You have got to give some leverage to him. He tried his best," Gambhir said. Sreesanth, who has been included in the first Test squad against Australia starting October 1 in Mohali, is trying to break into the playing eleven in the series opener after an injury lay-off. Australians had acknowledged that reverse swing played an important role when they toured India two years ago and now Gambhir said quality bowlers such as Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma's ability to move the ball would be crucial in the upcoming Test series.

"Zak (Zaheer) is going to be a big threat (for the Aussies)," Gambhir said. On Aussie plans to restrict Virender Sehwag during the series, Gambhir said every side comes up with their own strategies. Gambhir, who is also coming back after an injury lay-off, said he was looking forward to getting some practice in this match before the Mohali Test. Asked about the young bowlers in the side, he said, "When a bowler bowls against a quality opposition, it's always a good learning curve for him even if he fails to get a wicket." Meanwhile, centurion Watson said their strategy was to spend as much time in the middle as possible and get some runs under the belt before the first Test. "Big partnerships can always change the course of the game," he said. Praising Katich, Watson said, "He set up the scene for the whole tour." Watson also said that the wicket was "fairly flat" and "there was a softer area in the middle."