Peter Robinson
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2nd Test: South Africa v India at Port Elizabeth, 16-20 Nov 2001 Peter Robinson |
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South Africa 2nd innings:
India 2nd innings: |
Although the floodlights brightened what would otherwise been a murky afternoon, the possibility of more rain remained a constant threat as the South African bowlers tried to exploit a still helpful pitch in their bid to wrap up the three-Test series.
By declaring at 233 for five, the South Africans had set India 395 to win the match. More to the point, the tourists had 41 overs on the fourth day and all of the fifth day to bat to avoid defeat, a prospect made even more difficult when Shaun Pollock had Shiv Das caught at the wicket without scoring off the fifth ball of the innings.
This early success apart, however, the South Africans were unable to effect a further breakthrough during the first hour as makeshift opener Deep Dasgupta and Rahul Dravid dug themselves in.
Dravid has barely scored a run in South Africa, but in the circumstances time at the crease was more important to the Indians and after 14 overs he had moved to 2 with Dasgupta on 16.
Pollock’s opening burst from the Park Drive end produced figures of 7-4-5-1 while Nantie Hayward and Jacques Kallis had bowled seven overs without success between them from the Dick Pond end.
After adjustments to take into account the interruptions, the Indians were left to bat 41 overs on Monday and a further 90 overs on Tuesday’s last day, always providing there were no more breaks for the weather.
And there was an immediate breakthrough for South Africa in the first over of the Indian second innings when Shiv Das tried to fend at Shaun Pollock’s fifth ball to him and succeeded only in edging a catch to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. Not a run had been scored when Das was out.
In the South African innings, Jacques Kallis was left unbeaten on 89 with Shaun Pollock on 55.
Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis has resumed batting at 1.30pm, but just 5.3 overs were possible before rain again began to fall, driving the players off the field.
There was time enough, however, for Pollock to reach his ninth Test 50 as he slapped a four through the off side and followed with a single. Pollock was on 55 when play was stopped while Kallis had moved from 84 to 89.
The South Africans were 378 runs ahead at that stage but Shaun Pollock chose not to declare, obviously intent on pushing the lead above 400.
Seventy overs had still to be bowled on Monday with a further 90 to come on Tuesday’s last day as Pollock (44) and Jacques Kallis (84) continued their innings.
The start of play had already been delayed by an hour because of drizzle, but the rain that began to fall after 13 minutes was the heaviest of the morning and there seemed little prospect of any further play before the scheduled 12.30pm lunch break.
During what play was possible, South Africa moved from 211 for five to 217 for five. Shaun Pollock scored all six runs to go to 44 not out while Jacques Kallis was still on 84. The South African lead when the players left the field was 378.
The South Africans resumed their second innings at 211 for five with Jacques Kallis not out on 84 and Shaun Pollock on 34. The South African lead at this stage was 372.
Tendulkar, together with Virender Sehwag, was apparently summoned by Denness after the match umpire had viewed video footage which allegedly shows Tendulkar attempting to alter the condition of the ball during the third day’s play on Sunday.
The outcome of the hearing will only be made know on Monday evening.
At St George’s Park, light but persistent drizzle kept the players off the field and the covers on the pitch as South Africa waited to resume their second innings. At the close of play on Sunday night, the home side were 211 for five in their second innings for an overall lead of 372.
© CricInfo
Date-stamped : 19 Nov2001 - 18:37