http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 vs. South Africa: the first innings – ICC World Cup 2011 Recap
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 took to the
pitch as India’s opening batsmen to face South African bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn.
Sehwag had his first boundary as early as the first the ball of the innings after a poor delivery from Steyn. Although no more runs were scored in that over, Sehwag was just getting warmed up.
Tendulkar rotated the strike as Albie Morkel was handed the ball for the second over. Morne Van Wyck seemed not to be paying attention, as Sehwag edged a ball that was well within reach of Van Wyck’s right that ran away for another boundary. South Africa
missed the opportunity and would regret it later.
The Indian batsmen seemed to have settled themselves and began their onslaught in the sixth over. Morkel being dispatched for three boundaries, followed by Steyn giving away 11 runs in his over, as there was more misery for Morkel who went for another 13
runs.
It was the start of a tough day for the South African bowlers who were smashed all over the park by the aggressive batting style of both Tendulkar and Sehwag. By the end of the first 10 overs the pair had driven, pulled and cut 13 boundaries and a six for
good measure.
Robin Peterson and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jean-Paul-Duminy-c66758 were brought into the bowling attack after Jacques Kallis had a brief spell of two overs, yet they did little to slow down India’s run rate that by the end of the 15th over had climbed to 8.53 runs every six
balls.
This prompted another change by the South African captain, as he introduced http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Faf-du-Plessis-c1427. The change made a difference, as Sehwag was bowled after attempting a cut shot. The opening partnership had been broken, but an on-fire Tendulkar
kept up the pace.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 picked up where Sehwag left off and kept the scorecard ticking though not as aggressively as the latter. Smith stuck to the two bowlers, as they restricted the batsmen to only singles, which the Indian batsmen did not seem to mind maintaining
at 7.07 runs per over rate.
Kallis and Morkel had a brief spell before Steyn took over from Kallis in the 39th over, but by then, Tendulkar had reached his century and Gambhir his half century. The crowd were on their feet applauding the batsman with the most centuries in
cricket World Cup history.
The “little maestro” however, was on his way back to the stands after being caught by Duminy at point, off Morkel’s bowling. India seemed destined for a huge total at 268 for two at the end of forty overs.
Yet the next ten overs were a nightmare compared to India’s dream start. Steyn claimed the scalps of both Gambhir and Yusuf Pathan in the space of four balls. Gambhir caught brilliantly by Kallis and Pathan with a well judged catch by captain Graeme http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598
after a loose shot.
Things got worse, as Yuvraj Singh’s stay on the pitch was short lived, as he fell for 12 after his lofted shot was caught by Botha. India’s batting line-up was disappearing fast with a huge total seeming less and less a possibility.
India continued losing wickets as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virat-Kohli-c95424 was caught and bowled by Peterson after adding just one run to the scoreboard.
Steyn then bowled http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zaheer-Khan-c98451 did not stay for long either, as the batting collapse continued as he tried to smash a six at long on only to find Morkel instead.
Steyn cleaned up the remaining batsmen in the 48th over as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MM-Patel-c1987 found himself clean bowled.
India was restricted by the South Africans, particularly Steyn who finished with figures of 5 for 50 in 9.4 overs, after a start that had them at 267/1 at one stage and all out for 296. A target that although will not be an easy task, will be something the
South Africans will see as within their reach.
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