Indian batsmen lose advantage given by bowlers

Indian batsmen failed to compliment the good work of the bowlers and were struggling at 92 for four in the second innings with an overall lead of 166 runs against South Africa at the close of second day’s play in the second Test match at the Kingsmead here Monday.

It was a day dominated by bowlers that saw 18 wickets falling for 245 runs.

Earlier in the day, India were all out for 205 in the first innings, losing their last four wickets for 22 runs.

It seems that visitors again lost the plot on a pacy track. But India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan and veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh sent South Africa crashing to 131 all out, giving India a first innings lead of 74. Khan took three for 36 and Harbhajan four for 10.

At the end of an extraordinary day, India are on 92 for four in their second innings with V.V.S. Laxman batting on 23 and the young Cheteshwar Pujara at 10.

India hurried to 42 without loss in their second innings and looked well on course to avenge their innings defeat in the first Test at Centurion last week.

But left-arm pace bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe had Virender Sehwag caught behind for an aggressive 32 and it triggered the Indian collapse that saw the top four batsmen falling for 14 runs.

Laxman and the Pujara restored a semblance of sanity to a frenetic day by batting together for 76 minutes until bad light ended play, adding 36 unbeaten runs.

After Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel wrapped up the Indian first innings, Khan started India’s comeback by removing opening batsmen Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen.

South Africa then suffered a double blow when in-form Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers were out in quick succession shortly before lunch to leave the home side reeling at 74 for four.

Kallis, who made a maiden Test double century at Centurion, was run out for 10. He was backing up when bowler Ishant Sharma deflected a drive by Hashim Amla into the stumps.

Hashim Amla, playing in his 50th Test match on his home ground, and Ashwell Prince looked to be repairing the damage when they batted together for 40 minutes after the break, putting on 22 runs.

Harbhajan picked up Amla, who missed a sweep and was leg before wicket for 33 while Prince chopped Khan into his stumps in the next over. Harbhajan also snapped up the wickets of Dale Steyn and Paul Harris in quick succession.

Steyn fell to an excellent diving catch by Rahul Dravid at slip as Dravid became the first fielder in Test history to take 200 catches.