India vs RSA: Honours Even

The first test between India and South Africa ended in a stalemate and honours were shared between the two sides. However lively bowling by South Africa and then India livened up proceedings in an otherwise tame cricket match.

India resumed on the fourth day in a healthy position with the score at 4/401. However it was some inspired bowling by Makhaya Ntini that made sure India didn't get past South Africa's fist innings total.

The first man to go was the ever patient Rahul Dravid who resumed on 52. Dravid only gathered two runs on Day 5 and was dismissed being caught behind off Ntini's bowling.

Dinesh Karthik (1) fell next to the accurate Shaun Pollock as India were shooting themselves in the foot after such a solid start. Anil Kumble (9) hit two quick boundaries, but he didn't last long either as he was out to Ntini who was bowling with immense fire and was clearly motivated.

The cherry on the cake came for Ntini when he smashed the stumps of VVS Laxman. Laxman (9) missed a relatively straight ball and as a result of that the leg stump went for a walk as India were almost down and out at 8/420.

A little cameo came in the form of Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. The pair guided India past 450 and soon after Harbhajan fell to Peterson for 17. Zaheer then was dismissed for a well made 30 as India were all out for 466.

With the match headed for a stale draw, the specatators still got some value for their money. Some good spin bowling allowed India to dismiss the South African top order.

Andrew Hall (26) fell to Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik got in the act as well as he dismissed Van Jaarsveld for 13. With the score at 110, the next man dismissed was the dangerous South African captain, Graeme Smith who fell for 47 off Murali Kartik's persistent bowling.

The next man to go was Jacques Rudolph, out to Harbhajan as he edged to Dinesh Karthik behind the stumps and was dismissed for just 2.

However the experienced Jacques Kallis steadied the ship with a patient 28 alongside Boeta Dippenaar who compiled 31 to lead South Africa to safety and to end the first test match as an even draw.


Brief Score Summary:

South Africa (1st Innings): 9/510 Declared (Hall 163, De Bruyn 83, Kumble 6/131, Harbhajan 2/127)

India (1st Innings): 466 All Out (Sehwag 164, Gambhir 96, Ntini 3/135, Hall 3/93)

South Africa (2nd Innings): 4/169 (Smith 47, Dippenaar 31*, Kallis 28*, Harbhajan 2/39, Kartik 2/17)

Match Drawn

Series still at 0-0

Cricket Web Player of the Match: Andrew Hall (RSA)

Posted by Sangrah