Centurion Jacques Kallis credits tailenders for giving him support to help steer South Africa to a healthy first innings total of 362
Centurion Jacques Kallis credits tailenders for giving him support to help steer South Africa to a healthy first innings total of 362
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A rearguard partnership from Gautam Gambhir (65) and Sachin Tendulkar (49) kept alive India's hopes of a historic Test series win in South Africa yesterday. The duo bailed India out from 28-2, and steered the visitors to 142-2 when stumps were drawn on the second day of the third and final Test here at Newlands.
The crowd got behind the action from Ball One, jeering India's most successful bowler S Sreesanth (5-114), cheering centurion Jacques Kallis (161), reacting with a bit of fury when AB de Villiers and Alviro Peterson dropped catches, and going bonkers when de Villiers, at gully, made up for Peterson's dropped catch off Gambhir with a stunning piece of fielding to remove Rahul Dravid (5). All in all, it was a grand day of cricket.
It was one of those days when, as a spectator, you would miss a lot if you blinked. Kallis, who equalled Ricky Ponting's tally of 39 Test centuries, credited tail-enders Paul Harris and Lonwabo Tsotsobe for letting him take South Africa's total from 283-8 to a healthy 362.
"Full credit to Tsotsobe and Harris ufffd we wouldn't have got to 360 if it wasn't for them. It shows the sort of character we have in this team. These guys are keen to perform well in such a big series," Kallis said after the riveting day's cricket.
Big challenge
Despite India's strong comeback, Kallis reckons his side has their nose ahead. "I'd like to think we are in charge of this game. But all that can change quickly. If we can pick up a few early wickets on Tuesday, we will be in control. This hundred means as much to me as any other in recent memory. It is such a big series, and a big challenge," he said.u00a0
Earlier, an inspired spell from Sreesanth helped India claw their way back into the contest. Overnight batsmen Kallis and Ashwell Prince (47) looked at ease until Sreesanth, with the new ball, removed Prince and Mark Boucher (0) in successive deliveries.
"That delivery I bowled to Prince (which pitched outside off and shaped back to clip off stump) was one the best I have bowled to a left-hander in my career. I hope to produce that more often," an elated Sreesanth said.
"It was little unfortunate that we allowed them to stretch to 360 plus. When I came to South Africa, I was expected to perform because I did really well in 2006. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I didn't bowl well at Centurion, but I am happy to have hit good rhythm now," the Kerala pacer added.
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