http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 fights back after South African assault
The South Africans have a stranglehold on the first test match of the three match series against the number one ranked test team in the world India despite a fight back by the Indian batsmen in their second innings after they had conceded a whopping 484
runs lead.
The Indians ended day three at 190/2 in their second innings still requiring a massive 294 runs to make the Proteas bat again on what is now a flat Super sport park track in Centurion.
The day was a memorable one for the South Africans as AB DeVilliers and Jacques Kallis reached personal landmarks on their way to an imposing first innings total of 620/4.
After their heroics the Indian batsmen succeeded in making a fight of it through a century plus opening stand between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 duo was in an aggressive mood and scored runs at a break neck speed before both were sent
back to the pavilion before the close of play.
Gambhir later claimed that his team had the potential of saving the match by batting out at least five out of the remaining six sessions in the match.
"I think it is a very flat track and it's just a matter of hanging in there, and taking the sessions one by one," Gambhir said. "Apart from the first day when we lost the toss and the wicket did a lot, this has been a good pitch for batting. It's going to
be hard for the South Africans to get us out. We have batted well in the second innings, so far, and we have got the batting in the side that can pull off a positive result."
"Unfortunately it didn't happen on this occasion, but I have confidence the rest of the side can pull off a draw. If we can draw this Test, we can turn this series in our favor."
On the other hand the South Africans were elated with their batting performance on day two and three as they piled on the runs on the helpless Indian bowlers, unfortunately the tourist attack looked nothing more than a club attack that
was put to the sword in no uncertain terms by the relentless South African batsmen.
All the five protean batsmen scored at least a half century, however their efforts were led by an outstanding double hundred by Jacques Kallis which was the first one by the all-rounder in a career spanning 15 years, the ton was the 38th
of his career placing him third on the list of all time century scorers in test history.
The first two spots are with Sachin Tendulkar with 49 and Ricky Ponting with 39 centuries.
Kallis was chuffed to bits after his special effort, he stated that he would not have to worry about a double ton any more, "I'm relieved at not having to answer the question anymore," Kallis said.
The right hander who is also the leading run getter for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in the longest format of the game had been dismissed between 150 and a double-century ten times in his career.
Many cricket pundits wondered as to why he had failed to reach the 200 mark in what has been a fantastic batting career; understandably he celebrated his achievement hailing it a landmark in his career.
"It's a fantastic landmark and one that I have worked hard to achieve. It's good to have ticked that box." "I probably would have taken it against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 but to have done against the world's best side is special."
Tags: