South Africa brimmed with pride and anticipation on Thursday, the eve of the first World Cup on African soil, as the nation’s icon Nelson Mandela said the tournament would bridge racial divides. While the last of the 32 competing teams flew in, the Rainbow Nation was caught up in a wave of euphoria not seen since the demise of the whites-only apartheid regime and Mandela’s election 16 years ago.
As blasts of the ear-splitting vuvuzela horns echoed around town, flag sellers who set up stalls by traffic lights struggled to keep pace with demand and even police officers wore jackets in South Africa’s national colours.
After tens of thousands thronged Johannesburg’s streets Wednesday to cheer on the Bafana Bafana (the Boys) national side in an open-top bus, it was the turn of Cape Town to join the party. “We came here to feel the vibe with the rest of Africa. Just to be here — it’s like an experience of a lifetime,” said Marks Louw, 23, as he arrived for a street festival in the city centre complete with bands and a light display.
The front-page of the Citizen proclaimed Bafana Mania! while an editorial in the same paper said the outbreak of patriotism in a country still struggling to escape a history of racial segregation could only be a force for good.
“For one brief shining moment we can forget the problems that beset the country and hopefully build on the enthusiasm and patriotism sweeping the land,” it said.
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Viru will miss T20 world cup
India vice-captain Virender Sehwag will miss the World Twenty20 Championships for the second time in a row with a shoulder injury.
“Virender Sehwag has sustained a shoulder injury and has been advised rest for three to four weeks. He has therefore been ruled out of the ICC World T20,” the Indian cricket board said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sehwag will be replaced in the 15-man squad by Tamil Nadu batsman Murali Vijay, while Gautam Gambhir will take over as vice-captain to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“The ICC’s technical committee has permitted a replacement for him. The all-India senior selection committee has accordingly picked Murali Vijay,” the release added.
Incidentally, Sehwag had been injured in the 2009 edition of the T20 Worlds as well when he travelled to England with the squad but did not play a game.
The third edition of the 12-nation tournament will be played in the Caribbean from April 30 to May 16.
India, drawn in Group C, meet Afghanistan in their opening match at St. Lucia on May 1, before playing South Africa the next day.
“Virender Sehwag has sustained a shoulder injury and has been advised rest for three to four weeks. He has therefore been ruled out of the ICC World T20,” the Indian cricket board said in a statement on Tuesday.
Sehwag will be replaced in the 15-man squad by Tamil Nadu batsman Murali Vijay, while Gautam Gambhir will take over as vice-captain to skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“The ICC’s technical committee has permitted a replacement for him. The all-India senior selection committee has accordingly picked Murali Vijay,” the release added.
Incidentally, Sehwag had been injured in the 2009 edition of the T20 Worlds as well when he travelled to England with the squad but did not play a game.
The third edition of the 12-nation tournament will be played in the Caribbean from April 30 to May 16.
India, drawn in Group C, meet Afghanistan in their opening match at St. Lucia on May 1, before playing South Africa the next day.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Australia pulverise South Africa 12-0
Title favourites Australia on Thursday registered the biggest win in the history of hockey World Cup by inflicting a humiliating 12-0 defeat on South Africa in a Pool B match here.
The overwhelming win is the biggest in terms of goals in a World Cup match.
The earlier record was held by Pakistan, who had mauled New Zealand 12-3 in the 1982 edition of the event.
Luke Doerner converted four penalty corners while veteran Jamie Dwyer and Glenn Turner scored two field goals each as world number two Australia toyed with South Africa and made the Proteas look like a club side.
After some early jitters Australia took control over the match with speedy forays and brisk counter attacks and scored goals at will — five in the first half and seven after the change of ends — to sound a warning bell for other teams.
Apart from Doerner (16th minutes, 34th, 49th, 66th 68th), Dwyer (52nd, 54th) and Turner (20th, 62nd), Desmond Abbott (26th), Fergus Kavanagh (35th) and Matthew Betturini (44th) all got their names in the score book.
Australia went ahead through Doerner, who converted their second penalty corner in the 16th minute, and four minutes later Turner made it 2-0 for the Olympic silver medallists with a nice field goal.
Turner scored his third goal in the tournament after Dwyer set it up for him from a fast paced counter attack.
The Aussies pumped in another in the 26th minute through Desmond Abbott whose reverse stick shot beat the South African goalkeeper Brendon Bodes all ends up.
As if that was not enough, Ric Charlesworth’s boys scored two more in the last two minutes of the first half through short corners.
Doerner found the net again with an immaculate dragflick in the 34th minute and then Fergus Kavanagh scored from a rebound after the set piece was saved by custodian Botes.
The second period was no different as Australia pumped in seven more goals. Betturini extended the lead in the 44th minute and five minutes later Doerner scored his third goal of the game, making full use of their fifth short corner.
With his team ruling the roost, veteran Dwyer joined the party, scoring two field goals in the 52nd and 54th minute.
Turner scored his second when he deflected home a Mark Knowles cross from the left flank.
Doerner was unstoppable as he added two more to his tally in the last four minutes of the match, first a field goal and then from a set piece to pile on South Africa’s agony.
With this win, Australia now have six points from three matches and will take on Spain in their next match on Saturday.
South Africa, on the other hand, are out of the semifinal race. The Proteas will face Pakistan in their next match on Saturday.
The overwhelming win is the biggest in terms of goals in a World Cup match.
The earlier record was held by Pakistan, who had mauled New Zealand 12-3 in the 1982 edition of the event.
Luke Doerner converted four penalty corners while veteran Jamie Dwyer and Glenn Turner scored two field goals each as world number two Australia toyed with South Africa and made the Proteas look like a club side.
After some early jitters Australia took control over the match with speedy forays and brisk counter attacks and scored goals at will — five in the first half and seven after the change of ends — to sound a warning bell for other teams.
Apart from Doerner (16th minutes, 34th, 49th, 66th 68th), Dwyer (52nd, 54th) and Turner (20th, 62nd), Desmond Abbott (26th), Fergus Kavanagh (35th) and Matthew Betturini (44th) all got their names in the score book.
Australia went ahead through Doerner, who converted their second penalty corner in the 16th minute, and four minutes later Turner made it 2-0 for the Olympic silver medallists with a nice field goal.
Turner scored his third goal in the tournament after Dwyer set it up for him from a fast paced counter attack.
The Aussies pumped in another in the 26th minute through Desmond Abbott whose reverse stick shot beat the South African goalkeeper Brendon Bodes all ends up.
As if that was not enough, Ric Charlesworth’s boys scored two more in the last two minutes of the first half through short corners.
Doerner found the net again with an immaculate dragflick in the 34th minute and then Fergus Kavanagh scored from a rebound after the set piece was saved by custodian Botes.
The second period was no different as Australia pumped in seven more goals. Betturini extended the lead in the 44th minute and five minutes later Doerner scored his third goal of the game, making full use of their fifth short corner.
With his team ruling the roost, veteran Dwyer joined the party, scoring two field goals in the 52nd and 54th minute.
Turner scored his second when he deflected home a Mark Knowles cross from the left flank.
Doerner was unstoppable as he added two more to his tally in the last four minutes of the match, first a field goal and then from a set piece to pile on South Africa’s agony.
With this win, Australia now have six points from three matches and will take on Spain in their next match on Saturday.
South Africa, on the other hand, are out of the semifinal race. The Proteas will face Pakistan in their next match on Saturday.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
South African's clinch consolation win
It was an opportunity for South Africa to avert the embarrassment of losing the one-day series 0-3.
Pitted against a second string Indian team, depleted by seven regulars, the Proteas did not let go slip the chance, and ended their tour with a convincing 90-run win in the third ODI at the Sardar Patel Stadium here on Saturday.
AB de Villiers 102 (59b, 11x4 3x6) and Jacques Kallis 104 (94b, 5x4 3x6), played a contrasting innings as Proteas ended their tour on a similar note to the way they had started in Nagpur.
Once De Villiers and Kallis, with important contributions from opener Loots Bosman and Hashim Amla, had given South Africa their highest score, 365/2 in 50 overs, against India, there seemed to be no contest.
Without Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, the target was always going to be too much for the young Indian batsmen. They showed flashes of their ability but eventually folded up for 275 in 44.3 overs as the South African bowlers complemented their batsmen with the series’ best bowling performance. Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay didn’t last long, but Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, added 95 for the third wicket. Sharma 48 (61b 3x4), Kohli 57 (71b 4x4 1x6), and Suresh Raina 49 (30b 5x4 1x6) all played cameo roles but it would have needed a special effort from one of them to even get closer to the target. They also needed the experience of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to fire on the day, but Dale Steyn sent back Dhoni and Kohli in the space of five balls to reduce the Indians to 157/5. From there on the contest was over for the hosts, as South Africans completed the formalities with more than five overs to spare.
Earlier, De Villiers set the stage on fire after Bosman and Amla had done the early damage. Dhoni’s fixation of going with only three specialist bowlers, while beefing up the batting order was bound to backfire and it did on a day when there was nothing much to lose for the skipper. Having said that, it was the part-time spin bowling duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan, who were more disciplined compared to the three fast bowlers.
Sreesanth, recovered from a mild fever to take the field, with rookies Sudeep Tyagi, playing his fourth match and Abhimanyu Mithun making his debut, in place of Ashish Nehra.
Bosman, promoted ahead of Herschelle Gibbs, tonked four sixes and also nine fours in his 46-ball 68 before failing to clear long-off against Pathan, after a 113-run opening stand while Amla contributed 87 (103b 8x4). De Villers took to the pacers as he punched and pulled to race to his sixth and the seventh-fastest hundred in ODIs.
Kallis, on the other end was as solid ever, quietly reaching his century in the midst of De Villiers’ mayhem. Without looking explosive theKallis put on 173 for the third wicket as the duo averted the ignominy of a whitewash.
South Africa
Loots Bosman c Ravindra Jadeja b Yusuf Pathan 68, Hashim Amla c Murali Vijay b Ravindra Jadeja 87, Jacques Kallis n.o. 104, AB de Villiers n.o. 102
Extras (lb-2, nb-2) 4
Total (in 50 overs)
365/2
FOW: 1-113, 2-192
Bowling: S.Sreesanth 9-0-83-0, Sudeep Tyagi 8-0-59-0, Abhimanyu Mithun 8-0-63-0, Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-53-1, Yusuf Pathan 10-0-66-1, Virat Kohli 2-0-11-0, Rohit Sharma 3-0-28-0.
Pitted against a second string Indian team, depleted by seven regulars, the Proteas did not let go slip the chance, and ended their tour with a convincing 90-run win in the third ODI at the Sardar Patel Stadium here on Saturday.
AB de Villiers 102 (59b, 11x4 3x6) and Jacques Kallis 104 (94b, 5x4 3x6), played a contrasting innings as Proteas ended their tour on a similar note to the way they had started in Nagpur.
Once De Villiers and Kallis, with important contributions from opener Loots Bosman and Hashim Amla, had given South Africa their highest score, 365/2 in 50 overs, against India, there seemed to be no contest.
Without Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, the target was always going to be too much for the young Indian batsmen. They showed flashes of their ability but eventually folded up for 275 in 44.3 overs as the South African bowlers complemented their batsmen with the series’ best bowling performance. Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay didn’t last long, but Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, added 95 for the third wicket. Sharma 48 (61b 3x4), Kohli 57 (71b 4x4 1x6), and Suresh Raina 49 (30b 5x4 1x6) all played cameo roles but it would have needed a special effort from one of them to even get closer to the target. They also needed the experience of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to fire on the day, but Dale Steyn sent back Dhoni and Kohli in the space of five balls to reduce the Indians to 157/5. From there on the contest was over for the hosts, as South Africans completed the formalities with more than five overs to spare.
Earlier, De Villiers set the stage on fire after Bosman and Amla had done the early damage. Dhoni’s fixation of going with only three specialist bowlers, while beefing up the batting order was bound to backfire and it did on a day when there was nothing much to lose for the skipper. Having said that, it was the part-time spin bowling duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan, who were more disciplined compared to the three fast bowlers.
Sreesanth, recovered from a mild fever to take the field, with rookies Sudeep Tyagi, playing his fourth match and Abhimanyu Mithun making his debut, in place of Ashish Nehra.
Bosman, promoted ahead of Herschelle Gibbs, tonked four sixes and also nine fours in his 46-ball 68 before failing to clear long-off against Pathan, after a 113-run opening stand while Amla contributed 87 (103b 8x4). De Villers took to the pacers as he punched and pulled to race to his sixth and the seventh-fastest hundred in ODIs.
Kallis, on the other end was as solid ever, quietly reaching his century in the midst of De Villiers’ mayhem. Without looking explosive theKallis put on 173 for the third wicket as the duo averted the ignominy of a whitewash.
SCOREBOARD
South Africa
Loots Bosman c Ravindra Jadeja b Yusuf Pathan 68, Hashim Amla c Murali Vijay b Ravindra Jadeja 87, Jacques Kallis n.o. 104, AB de Villiers n.o. 102
Extras (lb-2, nb-2) 4
Total (in 50 overs)
365/2
FOW: 1-113, 2-192
Bowling: S.Sreesanth 9-0-83-0, Sudeep Tyagi 8-0-59-0, Abhimanyu Mithun 8-0-63-0, Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-53-1, Yusuf Pathan 10-0-66-1, Virat Kohli 2-0-11-0, Rohit Sharma 3-0-28-0.
India
Dinesh Karthik c Hashim Amla b Dale Steyn 25, Murali Vijay c Mark Boucher b Lonwabo Tsotsobe 25, Virat Kohli c Mark Boucher b Dale Steyn 57, Rohit Sharma c Lonwabo Tsotsobe b Johan Botha 48, Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Mark Boucher b Dale Steyn 9, Suresh Raina c (sub) Wayne Parnell b Johan Botha 49, Yusuf Pathan c Dale Steyn b Lonwabo Tsotsobe 5, Ravindra Jadeja c Mark Boucher b Lonwabo Tsotsobe 36, S. Sreesanth lbw b van der Merwe 1, Abhimanyu Mithun st Mark Boucher b van der Merwe 24, Sudeep Tyagi n.o. 1
Extras (lb-5, w-4) 9
Total (in 44.3 overs) 275/10
FOW: 1-22, 2-40, 3-135, 4-156, 5-157, 6-179, 7-233, 8-237, 9-273, 10-275.
Bowling: D. Steyn 8-1-37-3, L. Tsotsobe 9.3-0-58-3, M. Morkel 7-0-48-0, R. van der Merwe 10-0-47-2, J. Botha 10-0-80-2.
Extras (lb-5, w-4) 9
Total (in 44.3 overs) 275/10
FOW: 1-22, 2-40, 3-135, 4-156, 5-157, 6-179, 7-233, 8-237, 9-273, 10-275.
Bowling: D. Steyn 8-1-37-3, L. Tsotsobe 9.3-0-58-3, M. Morkel 7-0-48-0, R. van der Merwe 10-0-47-2, J. Botha 10-0-80-2.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
PM hails Tendulkar for ODI double ton
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday congratulated Sachin Tendulkar on scoring the first ever double century in one-day internationals.
Terming it a "magnificent achievement", the prime minister said that Tendulkar had led by example and Indians were proud of his achievement.
Manmohan Singh also wished Tendulkar "many more glorious years" in cricket.
Tendulkar became the first ever batsman to hit a double century in one-day internationals, scoring an unbeaten 200 off 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior Wednesday. He broke the record of Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out) set against Bangladesh last year.
Terming it a "magnificent achievement", the prime minister said that Tendulkar had led by example and Indians were proud of his achievement.
Manmohan Singh also wished Tendulkar "many more glorious years" in cricket.
Tendulkar became the first ever batsman to hit a double century in one-day internationals, scoring an unbeaten 200 off 147 balls against South Africa in Gwalior Wednesday. He broke the record of Zimbabwean Charles Coventry (194 not out) set against Bangladesh last year.
Chance for India to seal the series
The ageless Gwalior Fort, perched on a hill, overlooks Roop Singh Stadium. The view is both serene and stunning. International cricket in the smaller centres has a distinct buzz around it. The colours are bright and vivid and the enthusiasm is infectious.
A bunch of fans, a majority of them schoolboys, cheered both the teams during their practice sessions ahead of the second ODI to be played here on Wednesday.
The teams (from): India: M.S. Dhoni (capt.), S. Tendulkar, V. Sehwag, D. Karthik, S. Raina, V. Kohli, R. Jadeja, Y. Pathan, Praveen Kumar, S. Sreesanth, A. Nehra, A. Mishra, R. Ashwin, S. Tyagi and A. Nayar.
South Africa: Jacques Kallis (capt.), H. Gibbs, L. Bosman, H. Amla, A.B. de Villiers, J. Duminy, M. Boucher, van der Merwe, M. Morkel, W. Parnell, D. Steyn, C. Langeveldt, J. Botha, A. Petersen, A. Morkel and L. Tsotsobe.
Match starts at 2.30 p.m.
A bunch of fans, a majority of them schoolboys, cheered both the teams during their practice sessions ahead of the second ODI to be played here on Wednesday.
The teams (from): India: M.S. Dhoni (capt.), S. Tendulkar, V. Sehwag, D. Karthik, S. Raina, V. Kohli, R. Jadeja, Y. Pathan, Praveen Kumar, S. Sreesanth, A. Nehra, A. Mishra, R. Ashwin, S. Tyagi and A. Nayar.
South Africa: Jacques Kallis (capt.), H. Gibbs, L. Bosman, H. Amla, A.B. de Villiers, J. Duminy, M. Boucher, van der Merwe, M. Morkel, W. Parnell, D. Steyn, C. Langeveldt, J. Botha, A. Petersen, A. Morkel and L. Tsotsobe.
Match starts at 2.30 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
India fightback in last session
Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh combined to rip through South Africa’s middle order as India staged a dramatic late comeback to reduce the visitors to 266 for nine on the opening day of their second and final cricket Test here today.
It was a stunning collapse for the Proteas, who were at one stage cruising along, courtesy fluent centuries by debutant Alviro Petersen (100) and Hashim Amla (114).
At stumps, Wayne Parnell (2) and Morne Morkel (3) were at the crease for South Africa when play was called off early due to bad light.
The South Africans went into tea break at 228 for two but in a stunning reversal of fortunes, Harbhajan picked up three wickets in the space of two overs to wreck the visiting line-up.
The offspinner ended the day with figures of 23-2-63-3.
Pace speahead Zaheer also picked up three wickets conceding 77 runs in his 21 overs.
Ishant Sharma too struck form and though he had just one wicket to show, the pace he generated in the final session rattled the visiting batsmen.
Earlier, 20-year-old Petersen became the first South African in 18 years to slam a hundred on debut, while last match’s double centurion Amla continued from where he had left off, scoring his ninth Test ton.
For most part of the day, Indian bowling was made to look ordinary by Petersen and Amla as they combined for a 209-run second-wicket stand before the middle order collapse let the visitors down.
After losing skipper Graeme Smith (4), who was castled by Zaheer, South Africa recovered brilliantly through the partnership between Amla and Petersen which came off 304 balls.
For two sessions, South Africa were firmly in command before Zaheer took the prized scalps of both Amla and Petersen soon after the tea break.
From there on, Harbhajan also got into the groove as he dismissed allrounder Jacques Kallis (10). V.V.S. Laxman, who had dropped Amla at slips when the batsman was on 60, made amends for his earlier blooper when he took a tumbling catch off Harbhajan to get rid of Kallis.
Laxman, who has just recovered from a finger injury, took a running catch from the slip to complete it at the fine leg in 66th over of the match.
It opened the account for Harbhajan at his happy hunting ground as the offspinner put himself in line for yet another hat-trick at Eden Gardens bringing back the memories of 2001 series against Australia.
In an eventful 68th over, Harbhajan roared back into his eluding form dismissing Ashwell Prince (1) and Jean-Paul Duminy (0) - both trapped leg before - to script an exceptional turnaround for India.
Prince, who was out for a duck in the Nagpur Test, managed to open his account this time but didn’t last too long when he was caught plumb in front of the middle-stump, bringing the crowd back on the feet.
In an identical dismissal off the very next ball, Harbhajan got rid of Duminy, who was also trapped in front playing to a straight top-spinner.
Harbhajan missed out on a hat-trick at the Eden, but the two dismissals in succession brought India back into the game in an astounding fashion as South Africa reeled at 253 for six.
More drama followed when Zaheer, with a brilliant throw from mid-off, ran AB de Villiers (12) out as South Africans lost their seventh wicket in the final session of the day.
From the non-striker’s end, de Villiers almost ran midway into the pitch before realising that there was no run to be taken as Zaheer executed the run—out.
Having gone wicketless in the Nagpur Test, Ishant finally took his first wicket of the series when he dismissed Paul Harris (1) in the 44th over leaving South Africa at 255 for eight.
Legspinner Amit Mishra also opened his account for the first time in this series when he took the scalp of Dale Steyn (5) by trapping him leg before although replays suggested that the ball hit the bat first.
Scoreboard:
South Africa first innings: Graeme Smith* b Khan 4, Alviro Petersen c Dhoni b Khan 100, HM Amla c Dhoni b Khan 114, Jacques Kallis c Laxman b Harbhajan Singh 10, AB de Villiers run out (Khan) 12, Ashwell Prince lbw b Harbhajan Singh 1, JP Duminy lbw b Harbhajan Singh 0, Dale Steyn lbw b Misra 5, Paul Harris c Dhoni b Sharma 1, Wayne Parnell not out 2, Morne Morkel not out 3. Extras (B 1, LB 4, NB 9) 14
Total (For nine wickets in 70.2 overs) 266
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-218, 3-229, 4-251, 5-253, 6-253, 7-254, 8-255, 9-261.
Bowling: Zaheer Khan 21-5-77-3, Ishant Sharma 17-3-56-1, Amit Mishra 20-3-68-1, Harbhajan Singh 23-2-60-3.
It was a stunning collapse for the Proteas, who were at one stage cruising along, courtesy fluent centuries by debutant Alviro Petersen (100) and Hashim Amla (114).
At stumps, Wayne Parnell (2) and Morne Morkel (3) were at the crease for South Africa when play was called off early due to bad light.
The South Africans went into tea break at 228 for two but in a stunning reversal of fortunes, Harbhajan picked up three wickets in the space of two overs to wreck the visiting line-up.
The offspinner ended the day with figures of 23-2-63-3.
Pace speahead Zaheer also picked up three wickets conceding 77 runs in his 21 overs.
Ishant Sharma too struck form and though he had just one wicket to show, the pace he generated in the final session rattled the visiting batsmen.
Earlier, 20-year-old Petersen became the first South African in 18 years to slam a hundred on debut, while last match’s double centurion Amla continued from where he had left off, scoring his ninth Test ton.
For most part of the day, Indian bowling was made to look ordinary by Petersen and Amla as they combined for a 209-run second-wicket stand before the middle order collapse let the visitors down.
After losing skipper Graeme Smith (4), who was castled by Zaheer, South Africa recovered brilliantly through the partnership between Amla and Petersen which came off 304 balls.
For two sessions, South Africa were firmly in command before Zaheer took the prized scalps of both Amla and Petersen soon after the tea break.
From there on, Harbhajan also got into the groove as he dismissed allrounder Jacques Kallis (10). V.V.S. Laxman, who had dropped Amla at slips when the batsman was on 60, made amends for his earlier blooper when he took a tumbling catch off Harbhajan to get rid of Kallis.
Laxman, who has just recovered from a finger injury, took a running catch from the slip to complete it at the fine leg in 66th over of the match.
It opened the account for Harbhajan at his happy hunting ground as the offspinner put himself in line for yet another hat-trick at Eden Gardens bringing back the memories of 2001 series against Australia.
In an eventful 68th over, Harbhajan roared back into his eluding form dismissing Ashwell Prince (1) and Jean-Paul Duminy (0) - both trapped leg before - to script an exceptional turnaround for India.
Prince, who was out for a duck in the Nagpur Test, managed to open his account this time but didn’t last too long when he was caught plumb in front of the middle-stump, bringing the crowd back on the feet.
In an identical dismissal off the very next ball, Harbhajan got rid of Duminy, who was also trapped in front playing to a straight top-spinner.
Harbhajan missed out on a hat-trick at the Eden, but the two dismissals in succession brought India back into the game in an astounding fashion as South Africa reeled at 253 for six.
More drama followed when Zaheer, with a brilliant throw from mid-off, ran AB de Villiers (12) out as South Africans lost their seventh wicket in the final session of the day.
From the non-striker’s end, de Villiers almost ran midway into the pitch before realising that there was no run to be taken as Zaheer executed the run—out.
Having gone wicketless in the Nagpur Test, Ishant finally took his first wicket of the series when he dismissed Paul Harris (1) in the 44th over leaving South Africa at 255 for eight.
Legspinner Amit Mishra also opened his account for the first time in this series when he took the scalp of Dale Steyn (5) by trapping him leg before although replays suggested that the ball hit the bat first.
Scoreboard:
South Africa first innings: Graeme Smith* b Khan 4, Alviro Petersen c Dhoni b Khan 100, HM Amla c Dhoni b Khan 114, Jacques Kallis c Laxman b Harbhajan Singh 10, AB de Villiers run out (Khan) 12, Ashwell Prince lbw b Harbhajan Singh 1, JP Duminy lbw b Harbhajan Singh 0, Dale Steyn lbw b Misra 5, Paul Harris c Dhoni b Sharma 1, Wayne Parnell not out 2, Morne Morkel not out 3. Extras (B 1, LB 4, NB 9) 14
Total (For nine wickets in 70.2 overs) 266
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-218, 3-229, 4-251, 5-253, 6-253, 7-254, 8-255, 9-261.
Bowling: Zaheer Khan 21-5-77-3, Ishant Sharma 17-3-56-1, Amit Mishra 20-3-68-1, Harbhajan Singh 23-2-60-3.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Zuma acknowledges role of Indians in consolidating democracy
South African President Jacob Zuma, has acknowledged the key role the Indian community has played in the country’s progress and in consolidating its democracy.
In his State of the Nation address at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town yesterday, Mr. Zuma also praised anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, on the 20th anniversary of his historic release from jail.
Addressing the nation live on television and radio, he also applauded the role of the Indian community in South Africa.
“In November this year, we will mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa,” Mr. Zuma said.
“It provides an opportunity to recognise the important contribution of the Indian community in the fields of labour, business, science, sport, religion, arts and culture in the achievement and consolidation of our democracy,” he said.
Mr. Zuma also addressed issues that have stymied the government’s progress on promises to improve education, health, crime and housing.
He extended condolences to the people of quake-stricken Haiti and praised South African-Indian doctor Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of ‘Gift of the Givers’ which was the first rescue team to reach the Caribbean nation.
“I would like to especially recognise (Sooliman) one South African who never fails to assist in times of disaster and helps us to promote a vision of a caring society,” Mr. Zuma said.
In his State of the Nation address at the opening of Parliament in Cape Town yesterday, Mr. Zuma also praised anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, on the 20th anniversary of his historic release from jail.
Addressing the nation live on television and radio, he also applauded the role of the Indian community in South Africa.
“In November this year, we will mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa,” Mr. Zuma said.
“It provides an opportunity to recognise the important contribution of the Indian community in the fields of labour, business, science, sport, religion, arts and culture in the achievement and consolidation of our democracy,” he said.
Mr. Zuma also addressed issues that have stymied the government’s progress on promises to improve education, health, crime and housing.
He extended condolences to the people of quake-stricken Haiti and praised South African-Indian doctor Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of ‘Gift of the Givers’ which was the first rescue team to reach the Caribbean nation.
“I would like to especially recognise (Sooliman) one South African who never fails to assist in times of disaster and helps us to promote a vision of a caring society,” Mr. Zuma said.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sehwag: India can save first Test
India may be facing the prospect of an innings defeat inside four days but dashing opener Virender Sehwag sounded confident that the hosts would pull a rabbit out of the hat and save the opening Test against South Africa.
“Against Australia (in 2001) we had followed on and won. Anything can happen in this game. Sachin Tendulkar is still batting and he’s a very experienced hand. Murali Vijay is also batting well. We will fight it out,” said the flamboyant opener who scored his 18th hundred in India’s first innings.
India, who trailed South Africa by a massive 325 runs in the first innings, were 66 for the loss of Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in the second innings and needed 259 runs more to stave off an innings defeat with only eight wickets and a largely inexperienced lower order to come.
Sehwag, who made 109 and also put on 136 runs for the fourth wicket with debutant S. Badrinath (56) in the first innings, said the hosts were disappointed with their performance.
“We are all upset we did not bat well. We needed a few more partnerships going but we have to give credit to Dale Steyn who bowled very well. He used the swing to get the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Murali Vijay (in the first innings). He also reverse swung the ball well after the ball was changed just after tea,” he said.
Sehwag said the ball had gone a bit soft and the umpires agreed to request by the visitors for a change of ball that was followed by Steyn’s devastating spell of reverse swing, which fetched him five wickets for three runs in 3.4 overs.
Steyn cleaned up the Indian lower-order to end the innings with a career-best 7 for 51.
Sehwag felt the home team batsmen can stall the South African victory charge but need to look out for runs too instead of simply defending on Tuesday.
“We still have very good batsmen remaining. They should also play shots as runs too matter. We will try to bat as long as we can,” said the 31-year-old batsman.
He also praised S Badrinath for his effort, saying the Tamil Nadu batsman applied himself well during their century stand.
“Badrinath is a very good player. He has made lot of runs in domestic cricket. I told him to enjoy his batting and he did well,” he said.
Asked why he chose to stay away from the short balls dished in plenty by the South African pace duo of Steyn and Morne Morkel, Sehwag said he was not a good puller or hooker and felt it was better to leave alone the short stuff.
“I’m not a good puller or hooker of the ball,” he explained. Sehwag, who threw away his wicket in both the innings, said he cannot predict how the wicket will behave over the last two days but can only say “it will not get better”.
