Although, India were overjoyed at the skipper Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th century in the first Test, they were at the same time saddened by a defeat from
South Africa by an innings and 25 runs. After India resumed on 454 for eight, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722 and Dale Steyn bowled out all, taking one wicket each for the addition of only five runs.
It took 26 minutes and 35 balls to defeat India on Monday morning for 459 all out. Last night Indians were finished at 454/8 and today while starting the game
again, they lost ninth wicket early as Morne Morkel scalped Sreenath for three in the second slip while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Styen.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 (63) both gave a strong start as India came back with greater strength after conceding a mammoth 484-run lead on the
third day of the first Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Unfortunately, early four wickets in the match pushed India into the danger zone, before Sachin Tendulkar and skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 stepped towards recovery with a long 172-run partnership for the seventh
wicket for putting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 away form the verge of defeat.
Both remained unsuccessful because the Dhoni fell victim to Styen. Tendulkar, who just became the record holder of 50 centuries in Test, this innings, was unbeaten
on 111 having batted for five hours and 27 minutes. Though the Indian batsmen played their part to a better extent in their second innings, bowling was not up to the mark in the absence of Zahir http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319.
In response to India’s first day poor innings ending at 136 all out http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 forced a big 620 for four by the dint of senior player Jaques Kallis’ unbeaten
double century and AB de Villers’ record breaking 129.
South Africa after wining the toss sent India to ground to bat first after rain had delayed the match on first day.
South African bowlers, Dale Styen took four wickets for 105 runs in 30.1 overs while Morkel took two for 94 in 31 overs. Left-arm spinner Paul Harris finished
with two for 88, Jacques Kallis one for 56 and Lonwabo Tsotsobe claimed one for 98.
South Africa took the lead of the match by 1-0 in three 3-match Test after outstanding victory against the number one ranked side in the world.
Kallis scored 201 not-out, his maiden Test double century, in South Africa's innings of 620 for four, won the man-of-the-match award while Harris and Morkel
were given a memento for getting 100 wickets in Tests.
Kallis gave credit to collective efforts of team for putting up big score on the day one. He further said that the centurion was a big scoring ground and they
came into this Test looking to be very positive with both bat and ball.
India’s score of 459 is the highest ever in an innings defeat.
According to Dhoni, the deficit was too much to handle as South Africa gave them a great target, and batsmen gave a good show in the second innings. In his views
the area where Indian’s were lacking, was their bowling.
"But there are grey areas. Our bowling has to improve, and we are looking forward to have Zaheer (Khan) back in the side. It is important to educate the bowlers
and give them a road map for the next Test,” said Dhoni.
The two teams will now move to Durban for the second test starting December 26.
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