India win on third day

Despite being bowled out for 142, India managed to win their tour game against Rest of South Africa by 96 runs.

After yesterday’s poor batting effort, India resumed on 93-7 and added 49 to their overnight score. This was largely due to another impressive batting effort from Irfan Pathan who top scored again, this time with an unbeaten 40.

When the final wicket fell, Rest of South Africa were set 321 to win, with a little over five sessions left of the match. On a seaming wicket, things looked good for the Indians, and sure enough, they reduced the home side to 75-4. Zaheer Khan and VRV Singh were the wicket-takers. Zqheer clean bowled two of the South Africans, Jacques Rudolph with the very first ball of the innings. Singh added two wickets in consecutive balls, dismissing Alviro Petersen and Morne van Wyk.

As the Indians looked on their way to a comfortable victory, hard-hitting Vaughan van Jaarsveld and Justin Kemp brought the South Africans back into it with a century stand. They took the attack to the Indian bowlers, feasting on Irfan Pathan and VRV Singh. Both unveiled stunning strokeplay, not least van Jaarsveld’s straight six off Harbhajan Singh. They added 100 from just 94 balls, but the partnership was broken when Sreesanth’s throw caught van Jaarsveld short.

Kemp followed shortly afterwards, as Khan returned to the attack, and the match was all but India’s. Alfonso Thomas and Morne Morkel added a frenzied 35, but some ugly shots secured India’s victory and gave Harbhajan Singh three wickets.

India 316-7 dec. & 142
Irfan Pathan 40*
Alfonso Thomas 7-56

Rest of South Africa 138 & 224
Vaughn van Jaarsveld 66, Justin Kemp 53
Zaheer Khan 3-39, Harbhajan Singh 3-39

India win by 96 runs