India slump to innings defeat at Centurion
There was neither any rain nor any miracle that could have saved India from an innings defeat on the final day of the first Test against South Africa.
The hosts needed just two wickets to wrap up the first Test match of the series, but the important thing for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 was that Sachin Tendulkar was still at the crease. That would have given India some hope of scoring a few runs, and delaying the inevitable
on the final day. However things didn’t work out as the Indians would have hoped, as the remaining batsmen were out after adding just five runs to the total.
Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 111, but his efforts were in vain as the tail-enders failed to support him and extend the Indian total. Sreesanth was the first man to go after scoring just three runs. Debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jaidev-Unadkat-c1626 then arrived at the crease, but
he didn’t last too long either. Unadkat faced ten balls and managed just one run.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn ended up with four wickets,
and was well supported by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722 and Paul Harris who grabbed two wickets each.
Jacques Kallis, who scored his maiden double century in South Africa’s first innings, was named man-of-the-match. Not only did Kallis score a double ton, but he also picked up the wicket of Suresh Raina in both innings. He also held on to a few catches in
the slip cordon, to round off a great all-round performance in the match.
India lost the match by an innings and 25 runs but there are still some positives which the team can take out of the match. The second innings was much better compared to the fashion in which they crumbled on the first day, and their openers gave the team
a great start. Apart from that, the Indian team will also be happy with the fact that Tendulkar continued his impressive form of late by scoring his 50th ton. India will have to work on their bowling, which looks weak compared to the South African attack.
The home side played a perfect game of cricket, but the only thing they will look to improve will be their catching. Although they are a very good fielding unit, they did miss some crucial catches in the match.
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