India control south Africa on Day Two

South Africa,December,27-2010:Day two India ballout for 131 runs for South Africa in 2nd Test.India scripted a massive fightback on Day 2 at Durban as South Africa were bowled out for 131 runs on a pitch which showed steep bounce and turn.
 After taking three vital wickets for India, Harbhajan took a blinder of a catch running backwards towards the ropes as Ishant Sharma gave India its ninth wicket. Morkel was the last batsman to depart, giving Ishant Sharma the first wicket of the match.
 Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan struck for India after lunch as Proteas found themselves in deep trouble losing seven top order batsmen.
 Rahul Dravid becomes first to take 200 Test catches Meanwhile, India’s Rahul Dravid became the only man to have taken 200 Test catches when he took a blinder of a catch to dislodge Dale Steyn of Harbhajan Singh’s delivery.
 Earlier, Zaheer Khan’s two wickets, a lucky run out and a strike by Sreesanth just before lunch helped India reduce South Africa to 74/4 at lunch in Durban.
 It left the hosts still 131 runs behind their visitors, who were dismissed for just 205 inside the first hour this morning thanks to two wickets each for Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, the latter ending with six for 50.
 Fast bowler Zaheer removed Graeme Smith (nine) and Alviro Petersen (24), while Ishant Sharma’s stretch saw him divert the ball onto the stump to dismiss Jacques Kallis (10).
 The wayward Sreesanth then finally managed a good ball that forced AB de Villiers (nought) into an edge. Hashim Amla, playing in his 50th Test, was left on 24 not out.
 All that drama came after the Proteas had looked well on top following a fine opening in which they claimed the last four wickets for just 22 runs in 9.1 overs.
 Resuming on their overnight 183 for six, India were aiming to reach at least 250, but were given little chance thanks to another outstanding display from the South Africa attack.
 Steyn completed his 15th career five-wicket haul in the fifth over of the day when Harbhajan Singh (21) was caught by De Villiers, who threw himself to his right at third slip.
 Zaheer (nought) then handed Morkel his first wicket via a routine catch for Mark Boucher as the hosts moved quickly through the tail.
 Mahendra Singh Dhoni tried to stem the flow of wickets with more attacking strokes and took his side past 200 by smashing Steyn for six over long-on.
 But his changed approach led to his downfall for 35 as he was soon caught in the deep by Petersen again trying to hit out at Steyn.
 And Sreesanth (nought) was last man out when he top-edged Morkel to Boucher.
 In reply, India could have had a wicket in the first over, but a Petersen edge off Zaheer flew wide of Murali Vijay at third slip.
 But it was clear, though, that the fast bowler’s presence amongst the bowlers meant there was an added threat – he missed the first Test due to a injury.
 The left-armer looked lively every time he ran in and was rewarded in the fifth over when Smith edged to Dhoni.
 He soon had a second wicket too, bowling Petersen around his legs after the batsman shuffled across his stumps.
 But Kallis and Amla took the hosts past 50, before the former was caught short after a straight drive by the latter was diverted onto the stumps.
 And De Villiers edged to Dhoni after a fine ball from Sreesanth, whose 5.4 overs went for 33, as the players went in to lunch.

source:espnstar.com

Tags: cricket 2010, dhoni, harbhajan singh, india, india vs south africa 2nd test, kallis, patel, pointing, sachin tenduclar, smith, south africa, styen, verendra sewag, zaheer khan