India v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Titans-c856?
Before the start of the series, we had said that it was indeed very hard to predict who will reign supreme against the other. The odds were slightly tilted towards the Proteas due to the home ground advantage. India on the whole have also not performed as
well against South Africa as they have against other sides. Surprisingly, the averages of almost all the Indian batsmen usually drop while playing against South Africa. Many were arguing that the Indian batsmen will struggle against South Africa however at
the same time; there were some who insisted that this was India’s opportunity to rewrite history.
Following their win at Durban, the momentum most certainly lies with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 at the moment. Zaheer Khan’s inclusion in the Indian side has strengthened their bowling department with his inclusion having a good effect on the rest of the bowlers. Sreesanth bowled
exceptionally well and Sharma too shined at Durban. Initially, the South African batsmen seemed set and the Indian bowling looked lacklustre. With the sudden dismissal of Jacques Kallis, the Proteas exposed their vulnerable side.
The Indian bowling attack seized the opportunity and thus lead India to a win in the second Test. Therefore, the series is now tied at 1-1. The pitch at Newlands is expected to be batting friendly. The key batsmen for South Africa will be Hashim Amla and
Jacques Kallis. Both have had a brilliant 2010 with Hashim Amla averaging 78, scoring 5 centuries and 4 half centuries in only 11 matches. Jacques Kallis, on the other hand, seems to be improving with every passing year. This year, he has averaged 79, scoring
6 tons and two half centuries. He also managed to reach the 200 mark for the first time in the last year.
South African bowling attack is certainly far better than that of India. Much will depend on the performance of the Indian batsmen and how they cope with the conditions at Newlands. If India can post a big first innings total then they can most certainly
put the pressure on South Africa. Proteas have not lost a Test series in the last year, while India has gone undefeated as well.
Graeme Smith and his tiff with Sreesanth might bring out the best in Graeme Smith and will be particularly fascinating to watch. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321
‘the wall’ Dravid with the opportunity to improve his dismal record in South Africa where he has managed to score only one century in 20 matches.
Scoring a century in the first Test, Sachin Tendulkar became the fifth batsman to score seven or more hundreds in a calendar year. Mohammad Yousaf of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 leads this list with 9 centuries while the other world class batsmen, like Viv Richards, de Silva
and Ricky Ponting have all hit seven centuries in a calendar year.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 is likely to make a comeback in the Indian side. If he hits off well with Sehwag and manages to score another hundred plus opening partnership, they will surpass the record set by Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan to break the Indian record.
The world record for the most 100 plus partnerships rests with Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. Jack Hobbs and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bert-Sutcliffe-c47851 are in second place with 14 centuries.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Murali-Vijay-c78035 will not play in the third Test. The pitch will be particularly bouncy and it is predicted that it will offer tennis ball bounce which will be conducive for batting on days two and three. The spinners can spring into action during days four
and five. During overcast conditions, the ball swings a fair deal however it is expected to be sunny during the match days.
One can only wait and see how the two top Test teams battle it out in the ultimate clash of the titans.
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