Proteas, India in close 2nd-Test battle
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — India removed South Africa’s top three batsmen in the final session yesterday to edge toward a series-levelling win in the second Test at Kingsmead.
Shanthakumaran Sreesanth took 2-30 and Harbhajan Singh 1-29 as South Africa were 111-3 in their second innings at stumps on day three, still 192 runs short of a challenging target of 303. Jacques Kallis was 12 not out and AB de Villiers 17 not out, with India’s bowlers eyeing victory on a quick, bouncy Durban pitch.
Sreesanth broke a 63-run opening partnership when Graeme Smith top-edged a hook shot and was caught by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 37. Alviro Petersen (26) and Hashim Amla (16) were also out to leave the home team under pressure after losing three wickets for 19 runs.
Kallis and De Villiers then put on a 29-run partnership to take South Africa to an early close when bad light ended play.
Earlier, VVS Laxman made an impressive 96 — the only score above 50 in the match so far — to guide India to 228 all out in their second innings, over 300 runs ahead.
“It was important to get a good lead and give the bowlers a decent target,” Laxman said. “I’m a little disappointed not to get 100, I’ve never got 100 in South Africa. But, doing well for the team is the only motivation for me.
“Tomorrow’s morning session is very important. If we get the wicket of Jacques Kallis early it will be crucial for us.”
With two days to play, South Africa has to make the highest innings total of the game to take a 2-0 lead and wrap up the three-Test series. Victory for top-ranked India will take the series between the leading two teams in the five-day game to a deciding match in Cape Town.
South Africa set about their chase with attacking strokeplay from Smith and Petersen. Smith hammered five fours in his 38-ball 37 and Petersen hit four boundaries as the openers raced to 63 in 12 overs.
But, Smith skied his attempted hook shot off Sreesanth — soon after a confrontation between the two players — to start the mini-collapse. Petersen was caught at short leg after steep bounce from Harbhajan and Amla flashed an edge behind to Dhoni before Kallis and De Villiers consolidated.
