South Africa tighten noose around India (Luch report)

CENTURION - South Africa tightened the noose around India, reducing the visitors to 277 for six in the second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket Test here Sunday.

Sachin Tendulkar was batting at 39 after Suresh Raina was dismissed by Jacques Kallis on the last ball before lunch.

India, who were bowled out for 136 in the first innings, are still trailing by 207 runs.

South Africa had piled up 620/4 in their first innings.

Resuming at 190 for two, India lost night watchman Ishant Sharma to Dale Steyn at the score of 214.

Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who was looking good to play a long innings, added 28 runs before the latter edged a Morne Morkel delivery and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher pouched the catch safely.

Left-arm seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe removed VVS Laxman, who gave a thick edge to the AB de Villiers at gully.

Suresh Raina was the next to go, snared by Kallis.