South Africa four wickets away from victory in Nagpur Test
By IANSTuesday, February 9, 2010
NAGPUR - South Africa were just four wickets away from a crushing victory against India in the first cricket Test here Tuesday.
At tea on the fourth day, India were 223 for six in their second innings with Test debutant Wriddhiman Saha (4) and Harbhajan Singh (11) at the crease. India, following on after being bowled out for 233 in the first innings, trail by 102 runs.
South Africa had declared their first innings at 558 for six.
Sachin Tendulkar was out after scoring 100 while Mahendra Singh Dhoni was dismissed for 25.
Left arm spinner Paul Harris (3-45) accounted for both the batsmen, breaking the 107-run stand and with it hopes of India’s fightback.
Tendulkar, who stood resolutely in the morning session, was out trying to play a sweep shot, the ball brushed his pad and fell onto the stumps. He played 179 balls hitting 13 fours.
Dhoni, who played 112-balls for his 25, stroking three fours, got an inside edge and was caught at silly point by AB de Villiers.
In fact, it was clear in the morning session that Harris will play an important role as he was getting a vicious turn from the rough outside the leg stump.
Before lunch, Harris got the wicket of Murali Vijay (32) who top edged a sweep to fine leg to be caught by Morne Morkel.
Subramaniam Badrinath, who had struck a solid 56 in the first innings, was the next to go as he edged one behind to wicket-keeper Mark Boucher off left-handed seamer Wayne Parnell.
