Cricket Update: Zaheer and Harbhajan help India in dismissing South Africa for a low total on the second day
Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan helped India to bounce back into the Test match when they bowled an inform Proteas side for 131 on the second day of the Durban Test. After the dismal performance in the first Test, it was a strong come back from the Indian bowlers
as they showed intent of challenging the South African batsmen under bowling conditions. South African batsmen failed to control the onslaught of the Indian bowlers and struggled to play the opening spell of Zaheer Khan. It was good to see some contest by
the Indian’s as after the first Test it was taken in view that India might lay low for the rest of the series. However, it was a good fight back from the Indian bowlers as they gave Proteas a taste of their own medicine in their first innings. The match continued
to fluctuate as India lost quick wickets to reach 92-4 at the end of the second day. The match still hangs in balance and whichever side can sustain the pressure will surely come on top in the end.
India started the day on 183-6, but they were not able to add much to their overnight score and got dismissed for 205 in their first innings. Laxman (38) and Dhoni (35) were the highest scorers for the Indian’s. India were not that discouraged from their
effort as it was a complete bowling wicket and had something for the fast bowlers. Their speculation proved right as they took early Proteas wickets and took advantage of early movement in the pitch. South Africa started positively and looked confident of
making a good total in their first innings. But this time it was Zaheer Khan for India, who bowled an exceptional opening spell and posed a lot of trouble for the South African batsmen.
India got the first wicket of the day when Graeme Smith was dismissed for just 9 runs. Zaheer took the wicket of Smith when Smith drove loosely at a ball that took an outside edge and went to the keeper. Peterson looked promising for a while but his stay
at the wicket ended when he was beautifully bowled by Zaheer. Peterson lost his wickets when he tried to work the ball on the leg side. It was turning out to be a good spell of bowling by Zaheer Khan as he moved the ball a lot in his spell and bowled a decent
line to the batsmen. His return again proved this point that he is undoubtedly the best bowler in the Indian line-up. Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma were not effective in their spells and struggled to find a decent line to bowl to the batsmen.
South Africa still had things under control and could not have imagined that they would be bowled out for just 131 runs in 37 overs. Kallis was unlucky to be run out by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566 as the ball deflected from his hand and struck the wickets at non striker’s
end. Hashim Amla played well for his 33 and again showed his class in batting. He struck number of boundaries on the back foot and tried to build a good partnership with the other batsmen. At the score of 74, South Africa lost another important wicket when
AB Devilliers gloved a delivery to the keeper of the bowling of Sreesanth. Devilliers and Amla contributed a 22 run partnership for the 5th wicket and tried to add some stability to the South African innings.
India had a major success when they dismissed the in form Amla for 33 runs. It was lack of concentration from Amla as he missed a straighter one from Harbhajan and was trapped leg before. After Amla’s dismissal, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757’s lower order failed to play
Harbhajan with ease and became easy victims of his bowling. Harbhajan bowled with a good variety and took 4 wickets for India. Overall, it was a good bowling display by the Indian bowlers as they did not allow the South African batsmen to rise in their innings.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Dravid-c2229 (2) and Tendulkar
(6) were guilty of playing some irresponsible shots and gave their wickets away on some pretty ordinary balls. Sehwag made a quick 32, but like other batsmen, he lost his concentration and gave a nick to the keeper of a wide ball. India managed 92-4 at the
end of the day’s play and they still would have to bat with a lot of responsibility to post a decent total to the Proteas.
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