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December 28, 2010

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India strikes back as Proteas collapse

SPINNER Harbhajan Singh and paceman Zaheer Khan gave India a precious 74-run first innings lead after dismissing South Africa for 131 on the second day of the second test at Kingsmead yesterday.

Zaheer took three for 36 to undermine the top order, and then a dramatic collapse after lunch saw the hosts crash from 74 for four to 131 all out as Harbhajan took a brilliant four for 10 in 7.2 overs to hand India an unlikely advantage.

India was bowled out for 205 in its first innings and will start its second innings after tea, hoping to bat much longer to enable its bowlers to level the three-match series after it suffered an innings defeat in the first test.

Harbhajan's introduction in the 24th over on a pitch seemingly suited for the pace bowlers changed the momentum of the test. The off spinner struck in his second over as South Africa's top scorer Hashim Amla (33) tried to sweep but missed and was trapped in front of his stumps.

The dismissal started the collapse as South Africa lost its last six wickets for 35 runs in 12.1 overs.

Prince was bowled by Zaheer for 13 as he showed the minimum amount of footwork in trying to drive the left-arm seamer off the back foot and dragged the ball back on to his stumps.

Rahul Dravid then snapped up an astonishing catch at slip - his 200th in tests - as Harbhajan ripped the ball on to the edge of Dale Steyn's bat before Cheteshwar Pujara brilliantly snared Paul Harris at short leg for a duck in the same over. Mark Boucher (16 not out) and Morne Morkel (10) staged a brief rally, but it did not cost India much as fast bowler Ishant Sharma found the edge of Morkel's attempted hook and Harbhajan plucked a fine catch out of the air at fine leg.

Harbhajan picked up his fourth wicket when Lonwabo Tsotsobe (0) hit him straight to midwicket.

Earlier, Zaheer removed South Africa's captain Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen.


 

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