Match State: Match start scheduled for 0830 GMT (14:30 local)
G'day all, and welcome to Semi-Final Numbah One, the first of three
sizzling matches in the next five days that are guaranteed to
provide more excitement and action than you can shake a stick at.
After Virender Sehwag went berserk on Sunday, India must now be the
most popular team to watch in this Champions Trophy, so keep your
eyes glued to their day-night slug-fest against South Africa at
the Premadasa.
South Africa had a relatively quiet entry into this stage of the
Champions Trophy, although their last-ball thriller against the
West Indies had quite a few people on the edge of their seats.
India, in contrast, had to overcome a fighting Andy Flower and then
a familiar England side in their Pool of Death.
But all that is history, and today's match is - for now - all that
counts.
At the toss, which Sourav Ganguly won, the Indian captain opted to
bat, saying that after quite a few matches held at the Premadasa
track, it was liable to turn later in the day.
If it does, India with their two front-line spinners will be in
with an advantage, but one can never tell. Neither Anil Kumble nor
Harbhajan Singh were hugely effective against England on Sunday.
South Africa are bolstered by the return of Allan Donald and Jonty
Rhodes, both out for the match against Kenya. Makhaya Ntini also
comes into today's side instead of opening bowler Aland Dawson.
Dale Benkenstein and Justin Ontong also find themselves out.
Freshly flown in from South Africa is Robin Peterson, a spinner to
take the place of the injured Nicky Boje.
The umpires are Russell Tiffin and David Shepherd. The players are
out in the middle, the openers taking guard, so let's get in on
the action.
0.1 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, and right away Pollock reveals his plans
for Sehwag, denying him room and width, this ball just shor of a
length and on the off.
0.2 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, straight to Jonty Rhodes at point, that
keeper of the deep offside.
0.3 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, half volley outside the off, and Sehwag
flashes into tha booming cover drive, smacked solidly through the
offside area between point and cover for his first four.
0.4 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, and again! just a tad short outside the
off and again Sehwag thrashes the cover off the ball, this time
just a touch closer to point but still fast enoug to defeat a
diving Rhodes and make the fence.
0.5 Pollock to Sehwag, no run
0.6 Pollock to Sehwag, two runs, worked off his hips to square leg for
a couple, and that makes 10 runs off the over, a fine start for
India.
End of over 1 (10 runs) India 10/0 (RR: 10.00)
SM Pollock 1-0-10-0 - Khetterama End
SC Ganguly 0* (0b) V Sehwag 10* (6b 2x4)
1.1 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, a loosener outside the off, and Ganguly
tentatively plays the ball to backward point, the feet not yet
moving.
1.2 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, full toss on off stump, and Ganguly
cannot get it away, playing it straight back to Ntini.
1.3 Ntini to Ganguly, one run, short and wide, and Ganguly slashes over
point. The shot is uppish and tentative, but he still gets the
single to third man to get off the mark.
1.4 Ntini to Sehwag, wide: FOUR, down the legside, and Ntini's pace
carries the ball further away from even a diving Mark Boucher. The
ball just clips wicket-keeper glove on the way to four wides.
1.4 Ntini to Sehwag, no run, just short of a length, and Sehwag tries
the pat to the offside only to get an inside edge onto pad. Ntini
is much faster than the other bowlers, so Sehwag may relish the
extra pace.
1.5 Ntini to Sehwag, no run, patted away into the offside.
1.6 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, on middle stump and Sehwag plays straight
down the ground, th eball just missing the stumps at Ganguly's end
to run away for one.
End of over 2 (7 runs) India 17/0 (RR: 8.50)
M Ntini 1-0-7-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
V Sehwag 11* (9b 2x4) SC Ganguly 1* (3b)
2.1 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, outside the off, Sehwag chops down on
the ball to play it to cover.
2.2 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, bang on target, good length delivery
that Sehwag strokes to mid-off.
2.3 Pollock to Sehwag, (noball) no run, on middle stump, rising
sharply, and Sehwag rises up on his toes to play it down quietly
to mid-on.
2.3 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, just short of a length outside the off and
Sehwag uppishly plays it through the offside, the ball still in
the air as it bisects cover and point to run away to the fence for
four.
2.4 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, this time to Rhodes at backward point,
the btsman opening the face a tad.
2.5 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, worked to mid-on.
2.6 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, just drifting down leg, and Sehwag
wristily works to the legside but finds the fielder in front of
square on the legsdie.
End of over 3 (5 runs) India 22/0 (RR: 7.33)
SM Pollock 2-0-15-0 (1nb) - Khetterama End
SC Ganguly 1* (3b) V Sehwag 15* (16b 3x4)
3.1 Ntini to Ganguly, FOUR, just outside the off stump, rising sharply,
and Ganguly wafts at it only to see the edge fly past second slip
for four. Ntini's extra prace taking the ball that much faster to
third man.
3.2 Ntini to Ganguly, FOUR, short of a lenght on middle stump, and
Ganguly works it with a half-pull to the midwicket fence, almost a
front-foot swivel sending the ball racing to the ropes.
3.3 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, shouldering arms outside the offs tump
now, that boundary no doubt taking the pressure off him.
3.4 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, fuller and on middle stump, and Ganguly
gets down on it nicely, stroking it to mid-on.
3.5 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, Ganguly tries the pull-swivel again, and
this time he does not get hold of it, playing the ball ondo his
pads off the inside edge. A little glare from Ntini ensues.
3.6 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, short of a length, on off stump, and
heading away from the left-hander, and Ganguly has a waft at it,
feet going nowhere, and is naturally beaten.
End of over 4 (8 runs) India 30/0 (RR: 7.50)
M Ntini 2-0-15-0 (1w) - Scoreboard End
V Sehwag 15* (16b 3x4) SC Ganguly 9* (9b 2x4)
4.1 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, worked to mid-on.
4.2 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, outside the off stump, and Sehwag is
beaten in trying the airy drive.
4.3 Pollock to Sehwag, no run
4.4 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, played to mid-on.
4.5 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, what a shot! pitched up just wide of the
off stump, Sehwag moves forward and hits it past the mid-off
fielder, all timing in that one, made it look easy!
4.6 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, and again! just short of a length on the
middle and leg, smashed to the mid-wicket fence
End of over 5 (8 runs) India 38/0 (RR: 7.60)
SM Pollock 3-0-23-0 (1nb) - Khetterama End
SC Ganguly 9* (9b 2x4) V Sehwag 23* (22b 5x4)
5.1 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, short of a lenght, and Ganguly goes onto
the back foot and plays it into the covers.
5.2 Ntini to Ganguly, no run, played off the back foot again into the
covers, where Gibbs springs into action, fielding one-handed and
throwing it back to prevent the run.
5.3 Ntini to Ganguly, FOUR, just a touch fuller, and Ganguly absolutely
smacks that one back past Sehwag - almost decapitating him in the
process - to the long off fence for four. Super shot, very
powerfully hit indeed.
5.4 Ntini to Ganguly, OUT: short ball, and Ntini's pace gets it up
sharply, much too high for Ganguly to pull. So his attempted pull
shot gets the top edge and rockets straight down Dippennaar's
throat at fine leg, and South Africa get their first wicket.
India 42/1, Partnership of 42
SC Ganguly c Dippenaar b Ntini 13 (13b 3x4 0x6)
V Sehwag 23* (22b 5x4) M Ntini 2.4-0-19-1 (1w)
VVS Laxman walks to the crease, perhaps still smarting from the tun
out in the previous match and wanting to make amends.
5.5 Ntini to Laxman, no run, short of a length, on off stump, and
Laxman is nicely forward, getting the ball softly dribbling away
to the offside.
5.6 Ntini to Laxman, no run, outside the off, and Laxman leaves it to
go through to the keeper.
End of over 6 (4 runs) India 42/1 (RR: 7.00)
M Ntini 3-0-19-1 (1w) - Scoreboard End
V Sehwag 23* (22b 5x4) VVS Laxman 0* (2b)
6.1 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, patted back at Shaun Pollock.
6.2 Pollock to Sehwag, FOUR, just short of a length and outside the
off, and Sehwag awkwardly drag-pulls it to the onside, straight
down the ground, the timing taking the ball to the fence straight
past the bowler.
6.3 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, the orthodox straight drive attempted
but straight back to the bowler.
6.4 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, fuller up on middle stump, driven
straight to cover.
6.5 Pollock to Sehwag, no run, slower ball outside the off, and Sehwag
tries to cut it away to third man and mises, the lack of pace not
working to Sehwag's advantage there.
6.6 Pollock to Sehwag, one run, full and on the off, driven powerfully
into the offside, but Donald does well to field at mid-off.
End of over 7 (5 runs) India 47/1 (RR: 6.71)
SM Pollock 4-0-28-0 (1nb) - Khetterama End
V Sehwag 28* (28b 6x4) VVS Laxman 0* (2b)
7.1 Ntini to Sehwag, three runs, just short of a lenght and on the off,
and Sehwag strokes it down the ground to the rtight of mid-off,
timing it beautifully and keeping Pollock interested righ tuntil
he drags it back.
7.2 Ntini to Laxman, one run, steered past point for the single, and
that gets Laxman off the mark.
7.3 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, outside the off stump, but this is a
faster ball and gets up sharply, and Sehwag takes one hand off the
bat in playing the ball to third man.
7.4 Ntini to Laxman, (noball) no run
7.4 Ntini to Laxman, FOUR, half volley on the off, and Laxman - not a
bad timer of the ball himself! - just pushes it into the offside,
but the ball still races through the covers, scurrying away to the
fence much ahead of the next chasing fielder.
7.5 Ntini to Laxman, no run
7.6 Ntini to Laxman, two runs, outside the off, and Laxman clverly
steers it to the left of point and to the right of third man, soft
hands and dextrous placement getting two.
End of over 8 (12 runs) India 59/1 (RR: 7.38)
M Ntini 4-0-31-1 (1w 1nb) - Scoreboard End
V Sehwag 32* (30b 6x4) VVS Laxman 7* (7b 1x4)
And White Lightning now into the attack.
8.1 Donald to Sehwag, no run, slower ball to start off wth, and Sehwag
works it straight to the catching position at short midwicket.
8.2 Donald to Sehwag, no run, right up in the blockhole this time, and
Sehwag just manages to dig it out, getting his feet out of the
way.
8.3 Donald to Sehwag, FOUR, again the slower ball, and Shewag tries the
lofted shot over mid-on. The ball is mis-timed just a touch, but
it still has enoguh timing and power on it to make it to the long
on fence.
8.4 Donald to Sehwag, no run, again full and straight, and Sehwag pats
it to mid-off.
8.5 Donald to Sehwag, one run, outside the off, short of a length, and
Sehwag half-edges half-guides it to third man for one.
8.6 Donald to Laxman, no run
End of over 9 (5 runs) India 64/1 (RR: 7.11)
AA Donald 1-0-5-0 - Khetterama End
V Sehwag 37* (35b 7x4) VVS Laxman 7* (8b 1x4)
9.1 Ntini to Sehwag, no run, on middle stump, worked to short
midwicket.
9.2 Ntini to Sehwag, no run, rising delivery on off stump, getting into
Sehwag's ribcage. and the batsman getting up into the air to play
it down with soft hands.
9.3 Ntini to Sehwag, no run, steered to the right of point.
9.4 Ntini to Sehwag, no run
9.5 Ntini to Sehwag, (noball) no run, rising delivery, and Sehwag
ducking under it hangs his bat and glove in the air, th eball
almost clipping them on the way to the keeper.
9.5 Ntini to Sehwag, one run, played wide of mid-off for one.
9.6 Ntini to Laxman, FOUR, superb shot! full delivery, and Laxman gets
on one knee and just strokes it effortlessly into the covers, the
bat face meeting the ball fully and Laxman gets his second
boundary.
End of over 10 (6 runs) India 70/1 (RR: 7.00)
M Ntini 5-0-37-1 (1w 2nb) - Scoreboard End
V Sehwag 38* (41b 7x4) VVS Laxman 11* (9b 2x4)
10.1 Donald to Sehwag, one run, short of a length and outside the off,
and Shewag steers the ball away to third man for a single.
10.2 Donald to Laxman, wide: no run
10.2 Donald to Laxman, no run, wide outside the off, and Laxman cuts it
away wristily on the up, but it finds Rhodes at point to stop the
runs.
10.3 Donald to Laxman, two runs, slower ball, and Laxman adjusts well to
just drive into the covers without any power, timing the ball well
enough to get two, not trying to hit the ball too hard.
10.4 Donald to Laxman, no run
10.5 Donald to Laxman, no run, full and on the off, worked wristily to
mid-on.
10.6 Donald to Laxman, no run
End of over 11 (4 runs) India 74/1 (RR: 6.73)
AA Donald 2-0-9-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
V Sehwag 39* (42b 7x4) VVS Laxman 13* (14b 2x4)
11.1 Kallis to Sehwag, FOUR, a loosener, and appropriately punished. The
ball is short and on the off, no real pace in the delivery and
sitting up to be hit, and Sehwag pulls it away to square leg for
four.
11.2 Kallis to Sehwag, one run, short again, but this time the ball is
faster, and Sehwag gets a leading edge in trying to pull, the ball
falling into no-man's land in the deep midwicket area.
11.3 Kallis to Laxman, one run, steered with soft hands to the left of
point for a singler, Laxman content to give the strike to Sehwag.
11.4 Kallis to Sehwag, FOUR, short and again Sehwag goes for the pull.
This time the leading edge goes straight over where slip would
have stood, and he gets four more. Kallis isn't happy.
11.5 Kallis to Sehwag, two runs, fuller up and Sehwag works it to leg,
getting two and getting to his fifty!!
11.6 Kallis to Sehwag, no run, slower ball, and Sehwag has a waft
outside off without success.
End of over 12 (12 runs) India 86/1 (RR: 7.17)
JH Kallis 1-0-12-0 - Scoreboard End
VVS Laxman 14* (15b 2x4) V Sehwag 50* (47b 9x4)
12.1 Donald to Laxman, no run
12.2 Donald to Laxman, no run, short and outside the off, and Laxman
tries the cut on the up, but the bat merely scythes through air,
Donald getting a bit of extra bounce.
12.3 Donald to Laxman, no run, slower ball, and again Laxman spots it
early and adjusts nicely, playing with soft hands to cover.
12.4 Donald to Laxman, no run
12.5 Donald to Laxman, no run
12.6 Donald to Laxman, one run, full and on the off, and Laxman strokes
it away to the lef of mid-off for one.
End of over 13 (1 run) India 87/1 (RR: 6.69)
AA Donald 3-0-10-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
VVS Laxman 15* (21b 2x4) V Sehwag 50* (47b 9x4)
13.1 Kallis to Laxman, no run, stroked to the offside.
13.2 Kallis to Laxman, no run, played to short extra cover, who is in a
catching position.
13.3 Kallis to Laxman, no run
13.4 Kallis to Laxman, no run, steered to short third man, Laxman
finding the fielders repeatedly here.
13.5 Kallis to Laxman, no run, cut away fiercely, and he still cannot
find the gap, but this time it is purely attributable to Rhodes,
who jumps away to his left.
13.6 Kallis to Laxman, one run, played into the covers for a single,
Laxman retaining the strike.
End of over 14 (1 run) India 88/1 (RR: 6.29)
JH Kallis 2-0-13-0 - Scoreboard End
VVS Laxman 16* (27b 2x4) V Sehwag 50* (47b 9x4)
14.1 Donald to Laxman, one run, patted away softly to the offside and
the single is quickly taken.
14.2 Donald to Sehwag, no run, short ball, and Sehwag sways away from
the line easily enough.
14.3 Donald to Sehwag, FOUR, just short of a length, and Sehwag times
that beautifully past point, sencding the ball hurrying away to
the point fence, the third man unable to get to it in time.
14.4 Donald to Sehwag, no run, short ball, and Donald gets some extra
bounce, Sehwag's intended cut cgoing nowhere.
14.5 Donald to Sehwag, one run, short again and outside the off, guided
to third man for one.
14.6 Donald to Laxman, no run
End of over 15 (6 runs) India 94/1 (RR: 6.27)
AA Donald 4-0-16-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
V Sehwag 55* (51b 10x4) VVS Laxman 17* (29b 2x4)
Match State: Drinks
15.1 Kallis to Sehwag, one run, short ball, on leg stump, and Sehwag
pulls it away to square leg for one.
15.2 Kallis to Laxman, no run, stroked to mid-off.
15.3 Kallis to Laxman, FOUR, short and on the off, and Laxman swivels on
the back foot to pull th eball powerfully aweay to the midwicket
fence, the fast outfield helping the ball run away all the faster
to beat the fielder.
15.4 Kallis to Laxman, one run, turned to fine leg for a single, and
that brings up India's 100 in the 16th over.
15.5 Kallis to Sehwag, no run, full and fast, and Sehwag pats it back to
the bowler, who picks up and has a shy at the striker's end,
shattering the stumps.
15.6 Kallis to Sehwag, two runs, slower delivery, and mid-on fields and
has a shy at the stumps, resulting in the extra run off the
overthrow.
End of over 16 (8 runs) India 102/1 (RR: 6.38)
JH Kallis 3-0-21-0 - Scoreboard End
VVS Laxman 22* (32b 3x4) V Sehwag 58* (54b 10x4)
16.1 Donald to Laxman, OUT: short and outside the off, and Laxman tries
the glide to third man, feet nowhere the pitch of the ball, and he
only succeeds in playing it into Boucher's gloves.
India 102/2, Partnership of 60
VVS Laxman c Boucher b Donald 22 (33b 3x4 0x6)
V Sehwag 58* (54b 10x4) AA Donald 4.1-0-16-1 (1w)
Sachin Tendulkar stalks out to the crease to replace Laxman - to a
huge ovation from this crowd.
16.2 Donald to Tendulkar, no run, short and outside the off, left alone
by Tendulkar.
16.3 Donald to Tendulkar, no run, closer to the body this time, and
Tendulkar tries the punch off the back foot, but the feet aren't
moving and the ball whistles past the outside edge.
16.4 Donald to Tendulkar, no run, on off stump, and Tendulkar shuffles
forward to get his body behind the bat and the bat behind the
ball.
16.5 Donald to Tendulkar, three runs, full and on leg stump, and
Tendulkar straight-drives with precision and alacrity, the timing
superb, and Graeme Smith has to dive full length to save a run and
cede three.
16.6 Donald to Sehwag, no run
End of over 17 (3 runs) India 105/2 (RR: 6.18)
AA Donald 5-0-19-1 (1w) - Khetterama End
SR Tendulkar 3* (4b) V Sehwag 58* (55b 10x4)
17.1 Kallis to Tendulkar, bye: one run, outside the off, and the
movement off the seam leads the ball to nip further inward than
Boucher expected, the ball running away for a bye.
17.2 Kallis to Sehwag, one run, smashed to mid-on, and Lanc Klusener
fumbles to allow the single.
17.3 Kallis to Tendulkar, one run, played with soft hands and an open
face of the bat off the off stump and playing it between backward
point and point for one to third man.
17.4 Kallis to Sehwag, no run, smashes into the covers and calls for the
single, but Tendulkar declines.
17.5 Kallis to Sehwag, OUT: short and on the off, and Sehwag attempts to
drag-pull it over the infield on the legside. He only succeeds in
top-edging the ball, and Lance Klusener at mid-on does not fumble
this time.
India 108/3, Partnership of 6
V Sehwag c Klusener b Kallis 59 (58b 10x4 0x6)
SR Tendulkar 4* (6b) JH Kallis 3.5-0-23-1
Dravid out to bat.
17.6 Kallis to Dravid, no run, patted back to the bowler.
End of over 18 (3 runs) India 108/3 (RR: 6.00)
JH Kallis 4-0-23-1 - Scoreboard End
SR Tendulkar 4* (6b) R Dravid 0* (1b)
18.1 Donald to Tendulkar, no run, a peach of a delivery. Just on the off
stump, seaming awya at the last moment and beating Sachin
Tendulkar all ends up.
18.2 Donald to Tendulkar, one run, worked from outside the off to
midwicket for a single, the wrists coming into play.
18.3 Donald to Dravid, no run, short of a lenght on the off, and Dravid
defends on the back foot.
18.4 Donald to Dravid, two runs, short and wide, and Dravid tries an on-
the-up shot and mistimes it, the ball flying uppishly behind point
for two to third man.
18.5 Donald to Dravid, no run
18.6 Donald to Dravid, no run, drives straight between Tendulkar's legs,
and mid-on fields behind the non-striker.
End of over 19 (3 runs) India 111/3 (RR: 5.84)
AA Donald 6-0-22-1 (1w) - Khetterama End
SR Tendulkar 5* (8b) R Dravid 2* (5b)
19.1 Kallis to Tendulkar, one run, short and Tendulkar mistakenly comes
forward, the ball taking the shoulder of the bat and running to
third man for one.
19.2 Kallis to Dravid, no run, defended to point on the front foot.
19.3 Kallis to Dravid, one run, Dravid drives to mid-on and the fielders
ia little deep, so the batsmen take the single.
19.4 Kallis to Tendulkar, one run, turned around the corner to fine leg,
and Tendulkar is looking for the second but cannot take it as fine
leg runs around and fields nicely.
19.5 Kallis to Dravid, three runs, clipped off his toes for three to
deep midwicket, the fielder chasing it and flicking it back just
before the ropes.
19.6 Kallis to Tendulkar, one run, again a single to deep mid-on,
Tendulkar just dropping the ball and running.
End of over 20 (7 runs) India 118/3 (RR: 5.90)
JH Kallis 5-0-30-1 - Scoreboard End
SR Tendulkar 8* (11b) R Dravid 6* (8b)
Lance Klusener into the attack now.
20.1 Klusener to Tendulkar, no run
20.2 Klusener to Tendulkar, no run, played to cover point, the ball
played too hard for the single to be taken.
20.3 Klusener to Tendulkar, one run, steered to third man for one.
20.4 Klusener to Dravid, one run, pulled away to the deep midwicket
area, the batsmen thinking about the second and deciding against
it.,
20.5 Klusener to Tendulkar, one run
20.6 Klusener to Dravid, no run, full and nipping back a touch, Dravid
almost not managing to keep it out.
End of over 21 (3 runs) India 121/3 (RR: 5.76)
L Klusener 1-0-3-0 - Khetterama End
SR Tendulkar 10* (15b) R Dravid 7* (10b)
21.1 Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, played back to the bowler.
21.2 Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, driven nicely off the front foot, but
straight to extra cover.
21.3 Kallis to Tendulkar, no run
21.4 Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, worked to leg.
21.5 Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, played to point with soft hands.
21.6 Kallis to Tendulkar, no run, slower ball, worked to leg. Some
excitement as the bail falls off, and Boucher goes for the appeal,
but the bail just falls off on its own.
End of over 22 (maiden) India 121/3 (RR: 5.50)
JH Kallis 6-1-30-1 - Scoreboard End
R Dravid 7* (10b) SR Tendulkar 10* (21b)
22.1 Klusener to Dravid, no run
22.2 Klusener to Dravid, FOUR, short and on the leg, and Dravid swivels
almost 180 degrees in just helping it along to the fine leg fence,
not really bothering to hit the ball too hard.
22.3 Klusener to Dravid, no run, outside the off, straight to the cover
fielder.
22.4 Klusener to Dravid, no run, aimed into the batsman, and Dravid on
the front foot and defends nicely.
22.5 Klusener to Dravid, one run, full toss and slower as well, and
Dravid can only play it wide of mid-on for a single.
22.6 Klusener to Tendulkar, no run, full and outside teh off, driven
sweetly but straight to cover.
End of over 23 (5 runs) India 126/3 (RR: 5.48)
L Klusener 2-0-8-0 - Khetterama End
R Dravid 12* (15b 1x4) SR Tendulkar 10* (22b)
And one-day debutant, Robin Peterson, left arm spinner, comes on to
bowl.
23.1 Peterson to Dravid, one run, drifting down the leg stump, and
Dravid flicks it away on the legside for a single.
23.2 Peterson to Tendulkar, no run, pushed to mid-off.
23.3 Peterson to Tendulkar, FOUR, paddle-swept fine for four, the bat
just guiding the ball along as the ball was already heading down
leg, and the ball just screams away to the fine leg fence for
four.
23.4 Peterson to Tendulkar, no run, worked to short midwicket, and a
fumble from Gibbs, but the batsmen decide against the run.
23.5 Peterson to Tendulkar, one run, played to mid-off.
23.6 Peterson to Dravid, one run, punched off the back foot to the deep
cover area.
End of over 24 (7 runs) India 133/3 (RR: 5.54)
RJ Peterson 1-0-7-0 - Scoreboard End
R Dravid 14* (17b 1x4) SR Tendulkar 15* (26b 1x4)
24.1 Klusener to Dravid, no run, driven wide of mid-on, and the fielder
throws himself to the right and stops the certain four. Great
stop!
24.2 Klusener to Dravid, no run
24.3 Klusener to Dravid, no run, defended nicely on the front foot.
24.4 Klusener to Dravid, no run, quicker delivery, well bowled, Dravid
chopping down on it just in time, playing it into the covers.
24.5 Klusener to Dravid, one run, quicker delivery again, but drifting
dwon leg, and Dravid flicks it away to behind square for one.
24.6 Klusener to Tendulkar, one run, short and wide, and Tendulkar
guides the ball to third man, touching it almost after it is past
him and behind the wicket-keeper too!
End of over 25 (2 runs) India 135/3 (RR: 5.40)
L Klusener 3-0-10-0 - Scoreboard End
SR Tendulkar 16* (27b 1x4) R Dravid 15* (22b 1x4)
25.1 Peterson to Tendulkar, no run, giving himself a little bit of room
outside leg, and Tendulkar plays an inside out pat to covers.
25.2 Peterson to Tendulkar, no run, Tendulkar dabs the ball away to the
offside and sets off for the single, but Rhodes runs in from
cover, picks up and throsw in one move, and the ball is collected
just in front of the stumps by Boucher, and Tendulkar is run out.
India 135/4, Partnership of 27
SR Tendulkar run out (Boucher) 16 (29b 1x4 0x6)
Tragedy there for India, but Dravid in declining the single was
perhaps right, the ball going just to the left of perhaps the
greatest fielder in the world.
25.3 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, short and Yuvraj immediately
launches into it, and sends it rocketing away to the backward
point fence for four off his very first ball.
25.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, played to deep cover for one.
25.5 Peterson to Dravid, one run
25.6 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, tossed up a bit more, and Yuvraj
defends it quietly down onto the ground near his feet.
End of over 26 (6 runs) India 141/4 (RR: 5.42)
RJ Peterson 2-0-13-0 - Khetterama End
R Dravid 16* (23b 1x4) Yuvraj Singh 5* (3b 1x4)
26.1 Klusener to Dravid, one run, drifting dwon leg, and Dravid whips it
away off his pads to deep midwicket for a single.
26.2 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, on middle and off, and Yuvraj
guides it nicely to third man for a single.
26.3 Klusener to Dravid, FOUR, wide of the crease, Klusener angles it
into Dravid's pads, which is meat and drink to the batsman,
helping it along to the fine leg fence for four.
26.4 Klusener to Dravid, no run, much better this time, the ball just
straying to middle and Dravid plays it right back past the bowler.
26.5 Klusener to Dravid, no run, nicely cover-driven on one knee, but
straight to the fielder.
26.6 Klusener to Dravid, one run, again straying down leg, and Dravid
uppishly chips it away to midwicket for one.
End of over 27 (7 runs) India 148/4 (RR: 5.48)
L Klusener 4-0-17-0 - Scoreboard End
R Dravid 22* (28b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 6* (4b 1x4)
27.1 Peterson to Dravid, no run
27.2 Peterson to Dravid, one run, pitching on leg stump, and Dravid
easily works it away to square leg for one.
27.3 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, wide of off stump, and Yuvraj
leaves it alone, the bowler not getting enough turn to really
worry about spinning sharply back into the left hander.
27.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run
27.5 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, on middle stump and a step to
the off enables Yuvraj to play it to leg for a single.
27.6 Peterson to Dravid, one run, nudged to the leg side for one.
End of over 28 (3 runs) India 151/4 (RR: 5.39)
RJ Peterson 3-0-16-0 - Khetterama End
R Dravid 24* (31b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 7* (7b 1x4)
28.1 Klusener to Dravid, one run, close to the body, and Dravid holds
his nerve to nicely play it to third man for one.
28.2 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, driven to mid-off.
28.3 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, played to Rhodes at point.
28.4 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full outside the off, and Yuvraj
goes for the booming drive and misses, Boucher doing a nice job
collecting by standing upto the stumps.
28.5 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, again a bit quicker outside the
off, the angle taking the ball away from YTuvraj, who plays and
misses.
28.6 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short this time, and Yuvraj goes
for the cut, but the angle takes the ball finer, falling just
short of gully.
End of over 29 (1 run) India 152/4 (RR: 5.24)
L Klusener 5-0-18-0 - Scoreboard End
R Dravid 25* (32b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 7* (12b 1x4)
29.1 Peterson to Dravid, no run, short and Dravid sets himself up but
almost chips it to Gibbs at short midwicket.
29.2 Peterson to Dravid, one run, this time he is content to work it to
leg for a single.
29.3 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, outside the off, defended on the
back foot.
29.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, driven between cover and bowler
for a single to long off.
29.5 Peterson to Dravid, no run, driven into the covers, where Rhodes
fields nciely by diving.
29.6 Peterson to Dravid, one run, turned around the corner for a quick
single.
End of over 30 (3 runs) India 155/4 (RR: 5.17)
RJ Peterson 4-0-19-0 - Khetterama End
R Dravid 27* (36b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 8* (14b 1x4)
30.1 Pollock to Dravid, no run
30.2 Pollock to Dravid, no run
30.3 Pollock to Dravid, no run
30.4 Pollock to Dravid, no run
30.5 Pollock to Dravid, one run, turned to midwicket for a single.
30.6 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, bye: one run, just outside the off, and
Yuvraj tries the guide to third man, but the ball goes through him
and hits the wicket keeper to run away for a bye to fine leg.
End of over 31 (2 runs) India 157/4 (RR: 5.06)
SM Pollock 5-0-29-0 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
Yuvraj Singh 8* (17b 1x4) R Dravid 28* (41b 2x4)
31.1 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short and wide, and Yuvraj sets
himself nicely and smashes it off the back foot into the deep on
the offside for a single.
31.2 Peterson to Dravid, one run, again drifting down legs to Dravid,
and the batsman gleefully works him to midwicket for a single.
31.3 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, patted to the left of the bowler,
who fields off his own bowling.
31.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, driven to long on.
31.5 Peterson to Dravid, no run, worked to short midwicket.
31.6 Peterson to Dravid, one run, a single to long-off.
End of over 32 (4 runs) India 161/4 (RR: 5.03)
RJ Peterson 5-0-23-0 - Khetterama End
R Dravid 30* (44b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 10* (20b 1x4)
Match State: Drinks
32.1 Pollock to Dravid, one run, drifting down leg and Dravid works it
away to midwicket for a single. They contemplate two but then
decide against it.
32.2 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, one run, played to long off for a single.
32.3 Pollock to Dravid, no run
32.4 Pollock to Dravid, one run, on middle and off, and Dravid wristily
works it to square leg for a single.
32.5 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, one run, uppishly played into the covers,
where Gibbs fields , gets up to have a throw at the non-striker's
end, but he batsmen run the single by then.
32.6 Pollock to Dravid, one run
End of over 33 (5 runs) India 166/4 (RR: 5.03)
SM Pollock 6-0-34-0 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
R Dravid 33* (48b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 12* (22b 1x4)
33.1 Peterson to Dravid, two runs, short and wide, and Dravid cuts it
away to the deep on the offsie and runs two. The lack of pace here
off the pitch really making it hard to get boundaries.
33.2 Peterson to Dravid, one run, turned to leg for a single.
33.3 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short and wide, and Yuvraj plays
back and thumps it to cover.
33.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, short and this time Yuvraj opts
for the pull, but he can only ge a single to square leg.
33.5 Peterson to Dravid, two runs, an ttempted turn to leg, but the ball
catches the leading edge and runs away to for two to third man.
33.6 Peterson to Dravid, no run
End of over 34 (6 runs) India 172/4 (RR: 5.06)
RJ Peterson 6-0-29-0 - Khetterama End
Yuvraj Singh 13* (24b 1x4) R Dravid 38* (52b 2x4)
34.1 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, no run, played into the covers.
34.2 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, no run, thumped to cover.
34.3 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, one run, worked off the hips to a single
to mid-on.
34.4 Pollock to Dravid, one run, driven to long-on, the bowlers really
keeping things tight here, not affording batsmen the width they
need,
34.5 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, and finally an Indian batsman finds
the gap! full and on the legs, and Yuvraj drives with a straight
bat to long-on, beating the fielder at mid-on to get four.
34.6 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, no run
End of over 35 (6 runs) India 178/4 (RR: 5.09)
SM Pollock 7-0-40-0 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
R Dravid 39* (53b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 18* (29b 2x4)
35.1 Peterson to Dravid, one run, driven into the covers, where a rare
misfield from Jonty Rhoeds enables the single.
35.2 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, tossed up, and thumped into the
deep on the offside for one.
35.3 Peterson to Dravid, three runs, marginally short, and Dravid rocks
onto the back foot and pierces the gap between point and deep
extra cover, geetting thre ein the process.
35.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run
35.5 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, on the front foot, played to the
covers for one.
35.6 Peterson to Dravid, two runs, short and Dravid thsi time hits it
wide of Graeme Smith , who is the sweepeer on the cover fence, and
the batsmen run two.
End of over 36 (8 runs) India 186/4 (RR: 5.17)
RJ Peterson 7-0-37-0 - Khetterama End
Yuvraj Singh 20* (32b 2x4) R Dravid 45* (56b 2x4)
36.1 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, off a much-shortened run-up,
Klusener bowls a slower ball and is driven into the covers.
36.2 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, again the little off break, and
Yuvraj gets the edge and gets two to third man.
36.3 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short of a length, driven to
covers, the lack of pace here really confounding the batsman.
36.4 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, patted back to Klusener,.
36.5 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, played to long-off.
36.6 Klusener to Dravid, no run, down the legside, and Boucher attempts
the stumping, but Dravid is too busy looking surprised at th eball
not being called a wide to step out of the crease.
End of over 37 (3 runs) India 189/4 (RR: 5.11)
L Klusener 6-0-21-0 - Scoreboard End
Yuvraj Singh 23* (37b 2x4) R Dravid 45* (57b 2x4)
37.1 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, short and Yuvrajh goes for the
cut and misses.
37.2 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, again short and wide, and again
Yuvraj goes for the cut and misses.
37.3 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, turned to midwicket for one.
37.4 Peterson to Dravid, one run, worked to long on.
37.5 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pushed to long on.
37.6 Peterson to Dravid, no run, paddle sweeping a flighted delivery,
but straight to fine leg inside the circle.
End of over 38 (3 runs) India 192/4 (RR: 5.05)
RJ Peterson 8-0-40-0 - Khetterama End
Yuvraj Singh 25* (41b 2x4) R Dravid 46* (59b 2x4)
38.1 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, driven off the back foot to long
off.
38.2 Klusener to Dravid, legbye: one run
38.3 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run
38.4 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, pulled off the hips to square
leg, where Jacques Kallis fields nicely on the dive to restrict it
to two.
38.5 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, a small sashay down the track, and
Yuvraj then takes the aerial route to the slower ball, hitting
cleanly over mid-on for four to the long-on ropes.
38.6 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, stroked away to deep in the
offside foe on.
End of over 39 (9 runs) India 201/4 (RR: 5.15)
L Klusener 7-0-29-0 - Scoreboard End
Yuvraj Singh 33* (46b 3x4) R Dravid 46* (60b 2x4)
39.1 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run
39.2 Peterson to Dravid, no run
39.3 Peterson to Dravid, one run
39.4 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run
39.5 Peterson to Dravid, one run, short and on the legs, worked away off
th eback foot to long-on.
39.6 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run
End of over 40 (4 runs) India 205/4 (RR: 5.12)
RJ Peterson 9-0-44-0 - Khetterama End
R Dravid 48* (63b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 35* (49b 3x4)
40.1 Klusener to Dravid, one run, turned around the corner for a single.
40.2 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, hit to long off, a diving Gibbs
at cover notwithstanding.
40.3 Klusener to Dravid, no run, played to short midwicket
40.4 Klusener to Dravid, no run
40.5 Klusener to Dravid, OUT: nicely seaming delivery, the off-cutter
this time, and Dravid tries to work it off off stump and misses.
He is hit plumb in front in the process, and Dravid falls one
short of what would have been a fine fifty.
India 207/5, Partnership of 72
R Dravid lbw b Klusener 49 (67b 2x4 0x6)
Yuvraj Singh 36* (50b 3x4) L Klusener 7.5-0-31-1
40.6 Klusener to Kaif, no run, nipping into the batsman, turned to short
midwicket.
End of over 41 (2 runs) India 207/5 (RR: 5.05)
L Klusener 8-0-31-1 - Scoreboard End
Yuvraj Singh 36* (50b 3x4) M Kaif 0* (1b)
41.1 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run
41.2 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, clipped to deep midwicket for
one.
41.3 Peterson to Kaif, no run, dabbed to the off and setting off for the
single, sent off by Yuvraj.
41.4 Peterson to Kaif, one run, turned to long on for one, a quick
single there.
41.5 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, no run, dabbed to the off, and Kaif sets
off from the non-striker's end and is sent back.
41.6 Peterson to Yuvraj Singh, one run, turned to square leg for one,
and Yuvraj slips in turning for teh second, so that is just one. A
fine spell from Peterson, 10 overs for 47 runs.
End of over 42 (3 runs) India 210/5 (RR: 5.00)
RJ Peterson 10-0-47-0 - Khetterama End
Yuvraj Singh 38* (54b 3x4) M Kaif 1* (3b)
42.1 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, turned to leg for a single.
42.2 Klusener to Kaif, one run, turned around the corner for one.
42.3 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, dabbed to Rhodes at point.
42.4 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, no run, an attempted whip to leg, and the
batsman only gets inside edge onto his pad.
42.5 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, driven to long-on.
42.6 Klusener to Kaif, one run, patted away to the legside, and the
batsmen sprint one, nice running there.
End of over 43 (4 runs) India 214/5 (RR: 4.98)
L Klusener 9-0-35-1 - Scoreboard End
M Kaif 3* (5b) Yuvraj Singh 40* (58b 3x4)
43.1 Kallis to Kaif, one run, slower ball, steered inbtelligently past
point to third man for one.
43.2 Kallis to Yuvraj Singh, wide: no run, short and wide outside the
off, very wide and short indeed, so that is not the bouncer for
the over.
43.2 Kallis to Yuvraj Singh, no run, pitched up on the off, driven
stragiht to the mid-off fielder, runs drying up here!
43.3 Kallis to Yuvraj Singh, no run, just short of a length on the off,
played just wide of the short cover fielder, but the fielder moves
in quickly and saves a run
43.4 Kallis to Yuvraj Singh, three runs, good length delivery on the
off, played down to the backward of point region, great diving
stop by Dippenaar saves a run
43.5 Kallis to Kaif, one run
43.6 Kallis to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, take that! short dleivery on the
middle and off, Yuvraj goes back and pulls it over the mid-wicket
fielder, the ball races away to the fence
End of over 44 (10 runs) India 224/5 (RR: 5.09)
JH Kallis 7-1-40-1 (1w) - Khetterama End
M Kaif 5* (7b) Yuvraj Singh 47* (59b 4x4)
44.1 Klusener to Kaif, one run, on the off,steered dwon to the third-man
region, easy single added
44.2 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pitched up just wide of the off
stump, played down to the longoff region
44.3 Klusener to Kaif, no run, on the middle and leg, defended!
44.4 Klusener to Kaif, one run, short and wide outside the off, Kaif
waits for the ball and plays it fine towards the third-man region
44.5 Klusener to Yuvraj Singh, one run, pitched up on the pads, played
wide of the sqaure leg fielder, qucik single taken, Yuvraj moves
to 49!
44.6 Klusener to Kaif, one run, and again, down to third man goes the
ball and the batsmen cross over
End of over 45 (5 runs) India 229/5 (RR: 5.09)
L Klusener 10-0-40-1 - Scoreboard End
M Kaif 8* (11b) Yuvraj Singh 49* (61b 4x4)
5 more overs left for the Indian
45.1 Kallis to Kaif, no run, pitched up wide of the off stump, no real
pace in the delivery, defended, the ball rolls over to the point
region
45.2 Kallis to Kaif, no run, lovely delivery! yorker on the off, Kaif
had to defend
45.3 Kallis to Kaif, no run, short dleivey on the off and angling into
the rigth hander, played back to the bowler
45.4 Kallis to Kaif, FOUR, at last! pitched up again, this time Kaif
decides to go for it and smashes it over the mid-off to the long -
off fence, one bounce and over she goes
45.5 Kallis to Kaif, wide: no run, wayward delivery down the leg side
45.5 Kallis to Kaif, FOUR, intended yorker, ends up as a fulltoss on the
pads, played fine towards the fine leg region, the fielder is wide
and four more added to the total
45.6 Kallis to Kaif, one run, short delivery on the middle and leg,
played away to the sqaure leg region
End of over 46 (10 runs) India 239/5 (RR: 5.20)
JH Kallis 8-1-50-1 (2w) - Khetterama End
M Kaif 17* (17b 2x4) Yuvraj Singh 49* (61b 4x4)
46.1 Pollock to Kaif, one run
46.2 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, no run, slower ball, played to cover.
46.3 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, no run, worked to mid-on, where the
fielder comes in quickly, leeping the pressure on Yuvraj one short
of his fifty.
46.4 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, no run, full and fast, an attempted
yorker, and Yuvraj jabs down on it and plays it back to th
ebowler.
46.5 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, one run, slashed away to the deep region
in the offside, and that gets Yuvraj to his fifyt, a fine innings
that coult be the difference between a decent score and a big one.
46.6 Pollock to Kaif, no run, well fielded by Pollock off his follow
through, and that is a good over from him, just two off the over.
End of over 47 (2 runs) India 241/5 (RR: 5.13)
SM Pollock 8-0-42-0 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
Yuvraj Singh 50* (66b 4x4) M Kaif 18* (19b 2x4)
Donald back into the attack now.
47.1 Donald to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, short of a length and Yuvraj flays it
away on the onside, keeping it under control to place it to
perfection between square leg and mid-on, getting it to midwicket
for four.
47.2 Donald to Yuvraj Singh, one run, straight to extra cover, but the
batsmen take the single to Gibbs rapidly.
47.3 Donald to Kaif, one run, slogged away with a mighty heave, but Kaif
goes for the run even thoguh the ball just dribbles to the fielder
on the legside. An attempt at the non-striker's end, but the ball
misses the stumps.
47.4 Donald to Yuvraj Singh, two runs, full toss, and yuvraj tries to
whack it for six, but he only gets a top edge that just falls
short of Ntini at long-on.
47.5 Donald to Yuvraj Singh, FOUR, super shot! short ball on middle and
leg, and Yuvraj flashes into the pull and thumps it away to square
leg, the ball whistling away to the fence and even running up the
boards into the stands.
47.6 Donald to Yuvraj Singh, one run
End of over 48 (13 runs) India 254/5 (RR: 5.29)
AA Donald 7-0-35-1 (1w) - Khetterama End
Yuvraj Singh 62* (71b 6x4) M Kaif 19* (20b 2x4)
48.1 Pollock to Yuvraj Singh, OUT: full toss, and Yuvraj really had to
go for it. He does not middle th ehit over cover, and the ball
just lobs into th eair and comes down straight into Gibbs' hands
at extra cover. And that ends a good innings from Yuvraj.
India 254/6, Partnership of 47
Yuvraj Singh c Gibbs b Pollock 62 (72b 6x4 0x6)
M Kaif 19* (20b 2x4) SM Pollock 8.1-0-42-1 (1nb)
48.2 Pollock to Kaif, OUT: slower delivery from Pollock, an off-break
half-volley, and Kaif tries the old heave-ho but only manages to
top-edge it. Rhodes runs in from deep mid-on and takes an easy
catch, and that's two wickets in two balls.
India 254/7, Partnership of 0
M Kaif c Rhodes b Pollock 19 (21b 2x4 0x6)
Harbhajan Singh 0* (0b) SM Pollock 8.2-0-42-2 (1nb)
48.3 Pollock to Harbhajan Singh, one run, drifting down leg, and
Harbhajan whips it away to the onside for one.
48.4 Pollock to Khan, no run, inside edged behind the stumps, and Zaheer
sets off for the run, but the keeper fields and Harbhajan declines
the run.
48.5 Pollock to Khan, no run, slower ball outside the off, and Zaheer
tries the big hit and misses it completely.
48.6 Pollock to Khan, OUT: slower full toss, and Zaheer Khan now goes
for the big hit, and once again the edge sends the ball spiralling
into the air and coming down into Graeme Smith's hands behind the
bowler.
India 255/8, Partnership of 1
Z Khan c Smith b Pollock 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)
End of over 49 (1 run) India 255/8 (RR: 5.20)
SM Pollock 9-0-43-3 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
Harbhajan Singh 1* (1b)
Fantastic over from Shaun Pollock there, three wickets taken and
just one run conceded.
49.1 Donald to Kumble, one run, nice yorker from Donald, and Kumble digs
it out for a single to the offside.
49.2 Donald to Harbhajan Singh, two runs, short of a length and
Harbhajan tries the slog. He gets it over the infield, and the
ball falls away in the midwicket area for a couple of runs.
49.3 Donald to Harbhajan Singh, one run, down the wicket and Donald
pushes it wider of the batsman. Harbhajan reaches out and gets
some bat on it, runs the single as Donald fields off his follow
through,.
49.4 Donald to Kumble, one run, full toss, thumped away to covers for
one.
49.5 Donald to Harbhajan Singh, OUT: expected enough. straight and full
by Donald, a slight off-cutter, and of yorker length, and
Harbhajan is just not up to a ball that good. He is bowled neck
and crop.
India 260/9, Partnership of 5
Harbhajan Singh b Donald 4 (4b 0x4 0x6)
A Kumble 2* (2b) AA Donald 7.5-0-40-2 (1w)
49.6 Donald to Nehra, one run, short and wide, and nehra has a little
slog at it and gets it away on the onside. The batsmen run one,
consider the second, and finally decide against it.
End of over 50 (6 runs) India 261/9 (RR: 5.22)
AA Donald 8-0-41-2 (1w) - Khetterama End
A Nehra 1* (1b) A Kumble 2* (2b)
Match State: Innings Break
Considering Sehwag's by-now-routinely explosive start, India will
be just a touch disappointed with their final total of 261,
competitive definitely but just as gettable if South Africa put up
a good batting performance.
The pitch has turned slower and lower, and that will definitely
help India bolwing under lights.
But this is still a subcontinental one-day track, with a fast
outfield and expected bounce, and if the South African batsmen
apply themselves, 262 should not be too much of a problem.
For SOuth Africa, Shaun Pollock came back strongly after an initial
pasting, bowling fantastically in the death to take three wickets
in a single over, scuppering any chances of a final over blitz
from India.
For India, Virender Sehwag struck 59 off 58 balls at the top of the
order, and then Yuvraj Singh made 62 in a crucial stand with first
Rahul Dravid and then Mohammad Kiaf.
South Africa require a run rate of just over 5.2, so come back
after a short break to see whether they achieve it. This match
should get pretty familiar with the wire, possibly going right
down to it.
Welcome back to the South African chase, where the players are
already out in the middle.
0.1 Khan to Gibbs, no run, on the leg, and the batsman looks to play
across the line and misses, being rapped on the thigh pad.
0.2 Khan to Gibbs, no run, on the off, dabbed away to the offside,
Gibbs getting bat on the ball this time.
0.3 Khan to Gibbs, no run, pitching just outside leg stump and Gibbs is
rapped on the pads yet again. The umpire refers to the third
umpire, and the tv replays show that the ball is pitching outside
leg. The batsman is safe.
0.4 Khan to Gibbs, legbye: one run, drifting down leg, catching thigh
pad on the way to fine leg, and the batsmen pick up the leg bye.
0.5 Khan to Smith, no run, nice ball, full and just swinging a touch,
and the batsman also judges it nicely, leaving it alone outside
the off.
0.6 Khan to Smith, no run, just short of a length on the off, nicely
behind the line of that one.
End of over 1 (1 run, maiden) South Africa 1/0 (RR: 1.00 RRR: 261/49 = 5.33)
Z Khan 1-1-0-0 - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 0* (4b) GC Smith 0* (2b)
1.1 Nehra to Gibbs, wide: no run, a wide to start off with, a real
loosener outside the off stump.
1.1 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, short and on the off, and Gibbs flashes into
the pull, dragging it from outside off to the ropes in front of
square, the first four of the innings.
1.2 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, good receovery from Nehra, just outside the
off and seaming further away from the right hander.
1.3 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, again right up there, close to Gibbs' body,
and the batsman can only jam down on it in time to prevent it
sneaking through.
1.4 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, drifting down leg, and Gibbs attempts the
work to leg and misses the ball, so no run there.
1.5 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, a jaffa! the seam is upright, and it seams
away just enough to beat the probing bat of Gibbs.
1.6 Nehra to Gibbs, legbye: one run, padded away to the legside for a
leg bye.
End of over 2 (6 runs) South Africa 7/0 (RR: 3.50 RRR: 255/48 = 5.31)
A Nehra 1-0-5-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 4* (10b 1x4) GC Smith 0* (2b)
2.1 Khan to Gibbs, no run, drifting down leg, Gibbs plays it away to
mid-on.
2.2 Khan to Gibbs, no run, left by Gibbs, but the ball seams in a touch
after passing the batsman, a touch dmore dangerous than Gibbs
supposed.
2.3 Khan to Gibbs, wide: no run
2.3 Khan to Gibbs, wide: no run, and again, down the legside.
2.3 Khan to Gibbs, one run, played off the hips for Ashis Nehra at fine
leg to collect and throw back.
2.4 Khan to Smith, FOUR, short of a length outside off, and Smith has a
tentative prod at it. The ball catches the edge and runs away to
third man for four, gettign Smith off the mark.
2.5 Khan to Smith, no run, fuller this time, outside the of, curving
away from the left hander, and Smith leave sit alone nicely.
2.6 Khan to Smith, OUT: just short of a length outside the off, and
Smith tries the forcing shot through point. But he does nto get to
the pitch of the ball at all, no foot movement there, and the
ball, flying away to the right of point, is snapped up by a diving
Y
South Africa 14/1, Partnership of 14
GC Smith c Yuvraj Singh b Khan 4 (5b 1x4 0x6)
End of over 3 (7 runs) South Africa 14/1 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 248/47 = 5.28)
Z Khan 2-1-7-1 (2w) - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 5* (13b 1x4)
Yuvraj at that position.
3.1 Nehra to Gibbs, two runs, short of a lenght, guided by Gibbs
between cover and point, and Yuvraj gives chase and fields to cut
it down to two.
3.2 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, drifting onto the pads, and Gibbs gets into
action, nicely flicking it off his pads and sending the ball
racing to the midwicket fence for four.
3.3 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, well-left outside the off.
3.4 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, short of a length, and again Gibbs leaves
it alone just outside the off, knowing where his off stump is.
3.5 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, fuller up, and Gibbs drives nicely into the
covers, but Kaif in the covers dives to prevent the single. So far
the Yuvraj-Kaif show is just as good as the Jonty-Gibbs show,
folks!
3.6 Nehra to Gibbs, no run
End of over 4 (6 runs) South Africa 20/1 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 242/46 = 5.26)
A Nehra 2-0-11-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 0* (0b) HH Gibbs 11* (19b 2x4)
4.1 Khan to Kallis, two runs, short and on the leg stump, and Kallis
swivels into the pull. He gets only glove on it, but the ball runs
away all the same to fine leg for a brace.
4.2 Khan to Kallis, no run, played of fthe pads to the legside.
4.3 Khan to Kallis, no run, pitched up, driven right back to the bowler
with the full face of the bat.
4.4 Khan to Kallis, no run, loud appeal for leg before from Zaheer, but
Kallis had some bat in that one.
4.5 Khan to Kallis, no run, quick, quick! on the off stump and heading
further away, and Kallis is alte into the shot, the ball beating
him outside the off.
4.6 Khan to Kallis, no run, again a good delivery, Kallis leaving it
laine, only to have it sail over the top of middle stump.
End of over 5 (2 runs) South Africa 22/1 (RR: 4.40 RRR: 240/45 = 5.33)
Z Khan 3-1-9-1 (2w) - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 11* (19b 2x4) JH Kallis 2* (6b)
5.1 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, half volley just outside the off, and Gibbs
summarily dismisses that one from his presence, smacking it away
through covers for four, super shot.
5.2 Nehra to Gibbs, one run, Gibbs jams down on the ball and does not
know where it has gone, but Kallis calls early and they get the
single.
5.3 Nehra to Kallis, no run, outside the off stump, letf alone.
5.4 Nehra to Kallis, no run, left alone by Kallis outside the off.
5.5 Nehra to Kallis, one run, steered away to the left of a diving
Yuvraj at point for one.
5.6 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, full and swinging in, played straight to
the square leg fielder inside the circle.
End of over 6 (6 runs) South Africa 28/1 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 234/44 = 5.32)
A Nehra 3-0-17-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 3* (9b) HH Gibbs 16* (22b 3x4)
6.1 Khan to Kallis, no run, just outside the off, and Gibbs moving his
feet nicely gets a large stride in and strokes it to mid-off.
6.2 Khan to Kallis, no run, played solidly again, this time to cover.
6.3 Khan to Kallis, no run, on the front foot again, this time in
defence.
6.4 Khan to Kallis, no run, closer to the body, difficlt to get away,
played to cover.
6.5 Khan to Kallis, no run, fuller, and Kallis tries the drive on the
front foot, but he plays onto his pad and takes the pace off the
ball on teh way to cover.
6.6 Khan to Kallis, no run
End of over 7 (maiden) South Africa 28/1 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 234/43 = 5.44)
Z Khan 4-2-9-1 (2w) - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 16* (22b 3x4) JH Kallis 3* (15b)
7.1 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, left alone by Gibbs outside the off.
7.2 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, short of a lenght outsie the off, and Gibbs
takes advantage of the length, getting onto the back foot and
forcing it through the point-cover gap for four, one of his pet
shots.
7.3 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, wide outside the off, and Gibbs chasing it
again, but this time straight to cover.
7.4 Nehra to Gibbs, one run
7.5 Nehra to Kallis, no run
7.6 Nehra to Kallis, no run
End of over 8 (5 runs) South Africa 33/1 (RR: 4.12 RRR: 229/42 = 5.45)
A Nehra 4-0-22-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 21* (26b 4x4) JH Kallis 3* (17b)
8.1 Khan to Gibbs, wide: no run
8.1 Khan to Gibbs, no run
8.2 Khan to Gibbs, no run
8.3 Khan to Gibbs, no run, loud appeal for leg before, but the ball is
clearly pitching outside leg.
8.4 Khan to Gibbs, no run, on the off, played back to the bowler.
8.5 Khan to Gibbs, one run, steered away just past point, who stops it
partially and restricts it to a single instead of the four that
could have resulted.
8.6 Khan to Kallis, no run
End of over 9 (2 runs) South Africa 35/1 (RR: 3.89 RRR: 227/41 = 5.54)
Z Khan 5-2-11-1 (3w) - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 22* (31b 4x4) JH Kallis 3* (18b)
9.1 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, cut away nicely by GIbbs, a short ball
heading outside the off, and Gibbs wristily places it just wide of
point and getting four for it.
9.2 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, Gibbs sees the short ball early, but the ball
does not rise as slowly as he expected. The extra pace gets the
upper edge and the ball rockets away to fine leg for four more.
9.3 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, defended to short midwicket.
9.4 Nehra to Gibbs, FOUR, fulle rnad on the off, and Gibbs steps
forward and sweetly strokes it away through covers, the ball
racing throug for four, the third of this over.
9.5 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, punched away off th eback foot into the
covers, and Kaif in the covers dives full length to cut the runs
down.
9.6 Nehra to Gibbs, no run
End of over 10 (12 runs) South Africa 47/1 (RR: 4.70 RRR: 215/40 = 5.38)
A Nehra 5-0-34-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 3* (18b) HH Gibbs 34* (37b 7x4)
10.1 Khan to Kallis, two runs, full and on the off, and Kallis strokes
it past the diving point fielder for two to third man.
10.2 Khan to Kallis, no run, patted to mid-on.
10.3 Khan to Kallis, no run
10.4 Khan to Kallis, two runs, worked to the legside, Kumble running
alongside the ball for some time before deciding to pick it up and
throw it back.
10.5 Khan to Kallis, no run, cut striaght into the hands of point.
10.6 Khan to Kallis, three runs, clipped off the toes by Kallis, and the
ball looks to be racing for four, but Nehra on the fence plays a
nice game of footer to save one run.
End of over 11 (7 runs) South Africa 54/1 (RR: 4.91 RRR: 208/39 = 5.33)
Z Khan 6-2-18-1 (3w) - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 10* (24b) HH Gibbs 34* (37b 7x4)
Kumble into the attack.
11.1 Kumble to Kallis, FOUR, flighted and Kallis flashes into the drive,
steering the ball past point for four, the batsman not willing to
let the spinner get into his rhythm.
11.2 Kumble to Kallis, one run
11.3 Kumble to Gibbs, no run, padding up to that one outside the off
stump.
11.4 Kumble to Gibbs, one run, tapped away into the offside and one
taken.
11.5 Kumble to Kallis, FOUR, flighted again, and again Kallis gets
nicely forward and smashes away through the covers, a full follow
through of the bat, and four mroe.
11.6 Kumble to Kallis, no run
End of over 12 (10 runs) South Africa 64/1 (RR: 5.33 RRR: 198/38 = 5.21)
A Kumble 1-0-10-0 - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 35* (39b 7x4) JH Kallis 19* (28b 2x4)
Harbhajan Singh into the atatck from the other end.
12.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, short and drifting dwon leg, and
Gibbs goes for the pull, but the ball getsa top edge and balloons
away into no-man's land in fine leg.
12.2 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
12.3 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run, turn and bounce there for
Harbhajan, and Kallis defends nicely on the front foot.
12.4 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, short and Kallis turns it with
the spin to square leg for the single.
12.5 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, stepping hugely outside off stump
and going for the big sweep, and the ball hits arm-pad and goes
away to the offside.
12.6 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run
End of over 13 (2 runs) South Africa 66/1 (RR: 5.08 RRR: 196/37 = 5.30)
Harbhajan Singh 1-0-2-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 20* (31b 2x4) HH Gibbs 36* (42b 7x4)
13.1 Kumble to Kallis, one run, swept to fine leg for one.
13.2 Kumble to Gibbs, no run, padded away to the offside.
13.3 Kumble to Gibbs, three runs, down the wicket and a huge loft over
mid-off, teh ball going high into the air and falling safely in
long-off, where the fielder restricts it to three.
13.4 Kumble to Kallis, no run
13.5 Kumble to Kallis, no run, stroked to cover.
13.6 Kumble to Kallis, one run
End of over 14 (5 runs) South Africa 71/1 (RR: 5.07 RRR: 191/36 = 5.31)
A Kumble 2-0-15-0 - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 22* (35b 2x4) HH Gibbs 39* (44b 7x4)
14.1 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
14.2 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, worked to mid-on.
14.3 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, FOUR, short and on the off, and Gibbs
pulls with the turn, the ball spinning slowly enough to just be
guided easily to the midwicket fence for four.
14.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, patted back to mid-on with the
turn for one.
14.5 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
14.6 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, flicked away from the off stump
to midwicket for a single.
End of over 15 (7 runs) South Africa 78/1 (RR: 5.20 RRR: 184/35 = 5.26)
Harbhajan Singh 2-0-9-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 24* (39b 2x4) HH Gibbs 44* (46b 8x4)
Match State: Drinks
15.1 Kumble to Kallis, one run, stroked to the deep on the offside for
one.
15.2 Kumble to Gibbs, no run
15.3 Kumble to Gibbs, one run, tucked away behind square leg for a
single.
15.4 Kumble to Kallis, no run, cut away, but straight to point.
15.5 Kumble to Kallis, no run, outside the off, left alone, the ball
turning just a touch.
15.6 Kumble to Kallis, one run, worked away to fine leg for oen.
End of over 16 (3 runs) South Africa 81/1 (RR: 5.06 RRR: 181/34 = 5.32)
A Kumble 3-0-18-0 - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 26* (43b 2x4) HH Gibbs 45* (48b 8x4)
16.1 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, tossed up outside off, worked
to midwicket,
16.2 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run
16.3 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run
16.4 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run, tucked away to fine leg, but no
run as Dravid runs around to collect.
16.5 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, worked to square leg.
16.6 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run
End of over 17 (3 runs) South Africa 84/1 (RR: 4.94 RRR: 178/33 = 5.39)
Harbhajan Singh 3-0-12-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 28* (46b 2x4) HH Gibbs 46* (51b 8x4)
17.1 Kumble to Kallis, no run, lou dappeal for leg before, but Kallis is
struck outside the off stump.
17.2 Kumble to Kallis, one run, short and wide, and Kallis stands up
tall on the back foot and smashes it away through covers for one.
17.3 Kumble to Gibbs, two runs, worked to fine leg for a couple, Gibbs
taking out the paddle sweep.
17.4 Kumble to Gibbs, no run
17.5 Kumble to Gibbs, no run, chopped down to the third man area.
17.6 Kumble to Gibbs, one run, worked to fine leg, just behind square,
and one more to the total.
End of over 18 (4 runs) South Africa 88/1 (RR: 4.89 RRR: 174/32 = 5.44)
A Kumble 4-0-22-0 - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 49* (55b 8x4) JH Kallis 29* (48b 2x4)
18.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, front foot defence, Gibbs padding
up.
18.2 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, outside the off, and Gibbs walks
across and turns it to short midwicket.
18.3 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, swept to fine leg, where the
fielder inside the circle - that man Yuvraj again! - dives to
field and prevent the gour.
18.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, patted across to the offside and
the batsmen steal a single. The fielder throws but misses, and
that gives Gibbs his fifty.
18.5 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run
18.6 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run
End of over 19 (2 runs) South Africa 90/1 (RR: 4.74 RRR: 172/31 = 5.55)
Harbhajan Singh 4-0-14-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 30* (49b 2x4) HH Gibbs 50* (60b 8x4)
19.1 Kumble to Kallis, one run, quick single taken to the offside.
19.2 Kumble to Gibbs, one run
19.3 Kumble to Kallis, no run, going for the sweep, but the ball bounces
more than expected and beats the bat, Dravid taking that nicely.
19.4 Kumble to Kallis, no run
19.5 Kumble to Kallis, no run, dabbed away on the offside and a single
considered but rejected.
19.6 Kumble to Kallis, no run
End of over 20 (2 runs) South Africa 92/1 (RR: 4.60 RRR: 170/30 = 5.67)
A Kumble 5-0-24-0 - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 51* (61b 8x4) JH Kallis 31* (54b 2x4)
20.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, FOUR, down the track and over the top,
the ball clearing the infield and racing to the extra cover ropes
for four.
20.2 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, turned to the leg for no run.
20.3 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, two runs, placed nicely into the gap on
the onside for two more, the fielder deeper on the line.
20.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, padding up in forward defence.
20.5 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, an attempted sweep, but the ball
gets tangled in a mess of glove, bat and arm, and the ball just
misses the leg stump on the way to fine leg for one.
20.6 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
End of over 21 (7 runs) South Africa 99/1 (RR: 4.71 RRR: 163/29 = 5.62)
Harbhajan Singh 5-0-21-0 - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 58* (66b 9x4) JH Kallis 31* (55b 2x4)
21.1 Kumble to Gibbs, one run, swept to fine leg for a single, this
partnership growing nicely here.
21.2 Kumble to Kallis, FOUR, short and wide, and Kallis goes for the
cut, but the ball takes the edge and Laxman at first slip misses
the ball, which runs away for four to third man.
21.3 Kumble to Kallis, no run
21.4 Kumble to Kallis, two runs, Kallis sees the length early and cuts
on the back foot, the ball actually going in front of square on
the offside for ac ouple more to the deep.
21.5 Kumble to Kallis, no run, played into the covers.
21.6 Kumble to Kallis, no run
End of over 22 (7 runs) South Africa 106/1 (RR: 4.82 RRR: 156/28 = 5.57)
A Kumble 6-0-31-0 - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 59* (67b 9x4) JH Kallis 37* (60b 3x4)
22.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run
22.2 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
22.3 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, pulled away to square leg for
just one.
22.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run
22.5 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, swept, beating the fine leg
inside the circle and getting one behind square.
22.6 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, FOUR, swept better this time, the
placement good enough to beat both teh fielder inside the circle
and the square leg fielder to get four.
End of over 23 (7 runs) South Africa 113/1 (RR: 4.91 RRR: 149/27 = 5.52)
Harbhajan Singh 6-0-28-0 - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 61* (70b 9x4) JH Kallis 42* (63b 4x4)
Yuvraj into the attack.
23.1 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, two runs, short and wide, and a misfield in
the covers enables the batsmen to run one.
23.2 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, no run
23.3 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, no run, driven into the covers, where Kaif
makes up for his fielding lapse earlier in the over.
23.4 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, FOUR, down the track, and although he is
beaten in the flight, he still reaches out for teh ball and hits
it powerfully enough through covers for four.
23.5 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, no run
23.6 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, one run, cut away to the deep for one.
End of over 24 (7 runs) South Africa 120/1 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 142/26 = 5.46)
Yuvraj Singh 1-0-7-0 - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 68* (76b 10x4) JH Kallis 42* (63b 4x4)
24.1 Nehra to Gibbs, bye: one run, down the legside, and the ball runs
away for a bye, eluding the keeper.
24.2 Nehra to Kallis, no run
24.3 Nehra to Kallis, one run, dropping it down at his feet, Kallis sets
off for the run. Nehra runs in and in trying to throw the ball in
at the stumps, injures his hand.
Looks like Nehra split his webbing in hitting the stumps on his
dive, the bowler looking in pain here.
The bowler leaves the field, and somebody will have to continue the
over.
24.4 Ganguly to Gibbs, FOUR, short and on the off, and a short ball at
this pace on this pitch is easy pickings, the ball racing away to
the midwicket fence for four as Gibbs pulls nicely.
24.5 Ganguly to Gibbs, no run, driven into the covers for no run.
24.6 Ganguly to Gibbs, two runs, outside the off, and Gibbs gets outside
the line and cheekily paddle sweeps to fine leg for two more.
End of over 25 (8 runs) South Africa 128/1 (RR: 5.12 RRR: 134/25 = 5.36)
SC Ganguly 0.3-0-6-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 43* (65b 4x4) HH Gibbs 74* (80b 11x4)
25.1 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, no run, short and cut away to point.
25.2 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, no run
25.3 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, no run
25.4 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, one run
25.5 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, one run, short and pulled away, but some
good work in the deep restricts it to just one.
25.6 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, one run, swept to square leg for a single.
End of over 26 (3 runs) South Africa 131/1 (RR: 5.04 RRR: 131/24 = 5.46)
Yuvraj Singh 2-0-10-0 - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 45* (70b 4x4) HH Gibbs 75* (81b 11x4)
26.1 Ganguly to Kallis, one run, drifting down leg, and the batsman
turns it away to fine leg for a single. Ganguly must now be
desperate for some wickets.,
26.2 Ganguly to Gibbs, no run
26.3 Ganguly to Gibbs, FOUR, short outside the off, and the intended cut
sends the ball to third man instead, frustration building for
Ganguly here.
26.4 Ganguly to Gibbs, no run, an attempted sweep, and the ball raps
Gibbs on the pads, but he has a good stride in, so only the keeper
is appealing.
26.5 Ganguly to Gibbs, FOUR, short and wide, and Gibbs places this
wonderfully, placing it just in front of deep point and keeping
him interested, but the ball ultimately races away to the cover
fence for four.
26.6 Ganguly to Gibbs, no run
End of over 27 (9 runs) South Africa 140/1 (RR: 5.19 RRR: 122/23 = 5.30)
SC Ganguly 1.3-0-15-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 46* (71b 4x4) HH Gibbs 83* (86b 13x4)
And that is now a record partnership of 126 by South Africa against
India for the second wicket.
Ganguly bringing Tendulkar on now, trying everything in his
armoury.
27.1 Tendulkar to Kallis, no run, flighted delivery to start with,
patted back to th ebowler.
27.2 Tendulkar to Kallis, FOUR, short ball, and Kallis uses those
enormous forearms to send the ball flying over the onside infield,
the ball finding the ropes on the midwicket fence. And that is
Kallis' fifty.
27.3 Tendulkar to Kallis, no run
27.4 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run, cut away to deep point.
27.5 Tendulkar to Gibbs, one run
27.6 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run, on the fornt foot, patted away into
the mid-off region for a single.
End of over 28 (7 runs) South Africa 147/1 (RR: 5.25 RRR: 115/22 = 5.23)
SR Tendulkar 1-0-7-0 - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 52* (76b 5x4) HH Gibbs 84* (87b 13x4)
28.1 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, no run
28.2 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, one run
28.3 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, one run
28.4 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, no run
28.5 Yuvraj Singh to Kallis, one run
28.6 Yuvraj Singh to Gibbs, FOUR
End of over 29 (7 runs) South Africa 154/1 (RR: 5.31 RRR: 108/21 = 5.14)
Yuvraj Singh 3-0-17-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 54* (80b 5x4) HH Gibbs 89* (89b 14x4)
29.1 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run
29.2 Tendulkar to Gibbs, one run, steered to the right of gully, and
even though he makes a fine fielding stop, the batsmen get one.
29.3 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run, flighted delivery, and Kallis inside-
outs it to long off for one.
29.4 Tendulkar to Gibbs, two runs, short again, and again runs to the
cover area.
29.5 Tendulkar to Gibbs, no run
29.6 Tendulkar to Gibbs, two runs, down the track and smashes over the
head of cover, but no four as the sweeper runs around and collects
to keep the batsmen down to two.
End of over 30 (7 runs) South Africa 161/1 (RR: 5.37 RRR: 101/20 = 5.05)
SR Tendulkar 2-0-14-0 - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 56* (82b 5x4) HH Gibbs 94* (93b 14x4)
30.1 Kumble to Kallis, one run, drifting down leg, worked away behind
square for one.
30.2 Kumble to Gibbs, no run
30.3 Kumble to Gibbs, one run, swept behind square for one.
30.4 Kumble to Kallis, no run
30.5 Kumble to Kallis, no run, hit to point for one.
30.6 Kumble to Kallis, no run, cut away fiercely, but still straight to
point.
End of over 31 (2 runs) South Africa 163/1 (RR: 5.26 RRR: 99/19 = 5.21)
A Kumble 7-0-33-0 - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 95* (95b 14x4) JH Kallis 57* (86b 5x4)
31.1 Tendulkar to Gibbs, one run, flighted delivery on teh off, and a
big drive goes mistimed, sending the ball to square leg for one.
31.2 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run, played to long on for one.
31.3 Tendulkar to Gibbs, one run
31.4 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run, short and wide, cut away to the deep
fpr one.
31.5 Tendulkar to Gibbs, FOUR, down the track, taking the ball on the
full,a nd hitting it just past a diving cover to the fence for
four, bringing up his second hundred in a row in this tournament.
Well done, Gibbs.
31.6 Tendulkar to Gibbs, one run, turned away to midwicket for one.
End of over 32 (9 runs) South Africa 172/1 (RR: 5.38 RRR: 90/18 = 5.00)
SR Tendulkar 3-0-23-0 - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 102* (99b 15x4) JH Kallis 59* (88b 5x4)
Kumble to continue
32.1 Kumble to Gibbs, no run, just outside the off stump, Gibbs tries to
run it down but misses the target
32.2 Kumble to Gibbs, two runs, flighted delivery on the middle and leg,
Gibbs goes for the sweep and gets an inside edge on to the pads,
the ball races away to the vacant fine leg region, easy couple
added
32.3 Kumble to Gibbs, no run, pushed to the mid-on region
32.4 Kumble to Gibbs, FOUR, take that!down the track comes Gibbs and
lofts it over the in-field to the long-off fence, calssy shot
32.5 Kumble to Gibbs, no run
32.6 Kumble to Gibbs, one run, short delivery down the leg side, played
to the fine leg region, easy single to end the over
End of over 33 (7 runs) South Africa 179/1 (RR: 5.42 RRR: 83/17 = 4.88)
A Kumble 8-0-40-0 - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 109* (105b 16x4) JH Kallis 59* (88b 5x4)
Nehra is back
33.1 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, short delivery angling across the right
hander, pushed to the point region
33.2 Nehra to Gibbs, two runs
33.3 Nehra to Gibbs, no run
33.4 Nehra to Gibbs, one run
33.5 Nehra to Kallis, no run
33.6 Nehra to Kallis, no run
End of over 34 (3 runs) South Africa 182/1 (RR: 5.35 RRR: 80/16 = 5.00)
A Nehra 6.3-0-38-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
HH Gibbs 112* (109b 16x4) JH Kallis 59* (90b 5x4)
Match State: Drinks
it seems that the heat has got to Gibbs, a runner has been called
in for him, Smith it will be
Harbhajan to continue
34.1 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, played to the short fine leg
region
34.2 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, short delivery on the off, Gibbs
goes down on his knees and sweeps it to the sqaure leg region
34.3 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, played past the mid-wicket
fielder, quick single taken
34.4 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, flighted delivery outside the
off, defended, the ball goes past the short mi-wicket fielder, yet
another quick single taken
34.5 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run
34.6 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, one run, short delivery on the middle,
Gibbs goes back and chips it past the short mid-wicket fielder
End of over 35 (5 runs) South Africa 187/1 (RR: 5.34 RRR: 75/15 = 5.00)
Harbhajan Singh 7-0-33-0 - Scoreboard End
HH Gibbs 115* (113b 16x4) JH Kallis 61* (92b 5x4)
35.1 Nehra to Gibbs, legbye: one run, short delivery on the middle and
leg, hits the pad and goes to the third-man region
35.2 Nehra to Kallis, one run, short delivery, again on the middle and
leg, pulled away to the deep square leg region, easy single taken
35.3 Nehra to Gibbs, no run
35.4 Nehra to Gibbs, one run, again a short delivery, played to the deep
sqaure leg region, a one handed shot that!
35.5 Nehra to Kallis, one run, played down the to the fine leg region,
runs at will seems to be the order of the day form now on
35.6 Nehra to Gibbs, no run, pitched up on the off, played just wide of
the mid-off fielder, but a good stops saves a certain four!
End of over 36 (4 runs) South Africa 191/1 (RR: 5.31 RRR: 71/14 = 5.07)
A Nehra 7.3-0-41-0 (1w) - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 63* (94b 5x4) HH Gibbs 116* (117b 16x4)
36.1 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
36.2 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run
36.3 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run, attempted to work away on the
legside, but missing the flight and turn.
36.4 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, worked with the turn to the
legside for a single.
36.5 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run
36.6 Harbhajan Singh to Gibbs, no run, backing away awkwardly to the
legside and cutting away to pointr.
End of over 37 (1 run) South Africa 192/1 (RR: 5.19 RRR: 70/13 = 5.38)
Harbhajan Singh 8-0-34-0 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 64* (98b 5x4) HH Gibbs 116* (119b 16x4)
Gibbs looking in trouble here, and he may have to go off now.
And now he is indeed leaving the field, as indeed he should, if one
goes by the distress on his face.
HH Gibbs retired hurt 116 (119b 16x4 0x6)
Jonty Rhodes the new bat, being promoted ahead of Dippennaar.
Zaheer Khan into the attack.
37.1 Khan to Kallis, no run
37.2 Khan to Kallis, no run
37.3 Khan to Kallis, no run, full and driven right back at the bowler.
37.4 Khan to Kallis, one run, eased past point for a single.
37.5 Khan to Rhodes, one run, immediately off the makr,Rhodes dabbing it
down to the leg and setting off for a very Jonty-esque single.
37.6 Khan to Kallis, no run, square driven, but straight to Yuvraj at
point.
End of over 38 (2 runs) South Africa 194/1 (RR: 5.11 RRR: 68/12 = 5.67)
Z Khan 7-2-20-1 (3w) - Khetterama End
JN Rhodes 1* (1b) JH Kallis 65* (103b 5x4)
38.1 Harbhajan Singh to Rhodes, no run, turned to fine leg insi
38.2 Harbhajan Singh to Rhodes, OUT: swept, but the straighter one gets
the leading edge, and Yuvraj Singh at leg gully takes one step to
his right and then dives full length to take a one-handed catch.
Easily the catch of the tourney so far.
South Africa 194/2, Partnership of 180
JN Rhodes c Yuvraj Singh b Harbhajan Singh 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)
JH Kallis 65* (103b 5x4) Harbhajan Singh 8.2-0-34-1
Dippennaar out to the crease now.
38.3 Harbhajan Singh to Dippenaar, no run, a shuffle to the off and then
a dab to leg.
38.4 Harbhajan Singh to Dippenaar, no run, walking across the crease
again, turning it to square leg.
38.5 Harbhajan Singh to Dippenaar, OUT: and again the sweeep-pull,
barely two minutes into the crease, and Dippennaar only succeeds
in slamming it straight down Kumble's throat behind square leg.
South Africa 194/3, Partnership of 0
HH Dippenaar c Kumble b Harbhajan Singh 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)
JH Kallis 65* (103b 5x4) Harbhajan Singh 8.5-0-34-2
Is this a new twist to the tale, then? Will Gibbs possibly have to
come out again to save this match?
38.6 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, turned to leg for a single, and
that completes a hugely successful over for Harbhajan.
End of over 39 (1 run) South Africa 195/3 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 67/11 = 6.09)
Harbhajan Singh 9-0-35-2 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 66* (104b 5x4) MV Boucher 0* (0b)
39.1 Khan to Kallis, wide: no run, short and wide down the leg, and
Kallis has a huge heave at it, but he very obviously misses, so
Dravid's appeal for the catch is a bit ludicrous.
39.1 Khan to Kallis, one run, dabbed down to leg and a quick single
taken.
39.2 Khan to Boucher, no run, full toss, played to short extra cover.
39.3 Khan to Boucher, no run
39.4 Khan to Boucher, one run, short and outside the off, and Boucher
steers it away through covers for a single.
39.5 Khan to Kallis, no run, played to short midwicket.
39.6 Khan to Kallis, no run, short of a length, and a huge roar in teh
stadium as Zaheer concedes only three catches in the over.
End of over 40 (3 runs) South Africa 198/3 (RR: 4.95 RRR: 64/10 = 6.40)
Z Khan 8-2-23-1 (4w) - Khetterama End
MV Boucher 1* (3b) JH Kallis 67* (107b 5x4)
Harbhajan Singh to continue, can he get one more wicket here?
40.1 Harbhajan Singh to Boucher, no run, on the middle and leg, played
straight to the fielder at sqaure leg
40.2 Harbhajan Singh to Boucher, no run, good straight delivery,
defended
40.3 Harbhajan Singh to Boucher, one run, short dleivery outside the off
and spinning into the right hander, played away to the fine leg
region, easy single taken
40.4 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, no run, tossed up on the middle and leg,
played straight to the mid-wicket fielder
40.5 Harbhajan Singh to Kallis, one run, played away to the backward of
sqaure region, another easy single taken
40.6 Harbhajan Singh to Boucher, no run, played straight to the mid-
wicket fielder
End of over 41 (2 runs) South Africa 200/3 (RR: 4.88 RRR: 62/9 = 6.89)
Harbhajan Singh 10-0-37-2 - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 68* (109b 5x4) MV Boucher 2* (7b)
And completes a great spell from Harbahajan, two wickets for 37
runs, fantastic stuff under the circumstances.
Discussions of great pith and moment between the members of the
Indian think tank, and it looks like Kumble will be handed the
ball now, with two of his overs remaining.
And instead, it is Virender Sehwag, Ganguly hoping that after his
nice knock in the morning, he has some luck with his arm too.
This is a gamble.
41.1 Sehwag to Kallis, no run, on middle stump, turned to fine leg,
where leg gully fields.
41.2 Sehwag to Kallis, two runs, turned wide of leg gully this time, and
Kallis presses for the second - and gets it, the fielder a bit
slow in getting off the blocks.
41.3 Sehwag to Kallis, one run, played into the covers, and an easy
single taken.
41.4 Sehwag to Boucher, no run, outside the off, and Boucher goes for
the sweep and mistimes it into the ground.
41.5 Sehwag to Boucher, one run, worked to deep midwicket, the run-rate
now dropping and the required run rate going above 7 for the first
time.
41.6 Sehwag to Kallis, no run
End of over 42 (4 runs) South Africa 204/3 (RR: 4.86 RRR: 58/8 = 7.25)
V Sehwag 1-0-4-0 - Khetterama End
MV Boucher 3* (9b) JH Kallis 71* (113b 5x4)
It looks now like Kallis will be the pivotal wicket for both sides.
Kumble into the attack from the Scoreboard End.
42.1 Kumble to Boucher, no run, flighted on off stump, played into the
offside.
42.2 Kumble to Boucher, two runs, on middle stump, and Boucher cleverly
paddle sweeps into the fine leg area for two, the area not
protcted at all.
42.3 Kumble to Boucher, one run, and again swept, this time just behind
square, the batsmen looking set to milk that area if he drifts
down leg.
42.4 Kumble to Kallis, one run, tapped down softly to third man inside
the circle, and a really good piece of running here, the tabstemn
setting off immediately and knwoing each other well.
42.5 Kumble to Boucher, two runs, swept away to square leg, and again
good running, egtting two for that shot. Already 6 runs off this
over.
42.6 Kumble to Boucher, one run, turned to midwicket for a single.
End of over 43 (7 runs) South Africa 211/3 (RR: 4.91 RRR: 51/7 = 7.29)
A Kumble 9-0-47-0 - Scoreboard End
MV Boucher 9* (14b) JH Kallis 72* (114b 5x4)
43.1 Sehwag to Boucher, one run, down the track and an attempted hoik
goes astray, but they get one off the dribble to leg anyway.
43.2 Sehwag to Kallis, one run, a little step down the track and playing
it past the bowler to long on. The batsmen consider two but then
decided against it.
43.3 Sehwag to Boucher, OUT: Boucher pulls out the attempted hoik to
leg, but the ball gets a bottom edge and spoons right up in th
eair, over the wicket-keeper. Yuvraj Singh in the leg gully runs
around easily to take the catch, and Boucher deaprts.
South Africa 213/4, Partnership of 19
MV Boucher c Yuvraj Singh b Sehwag 10 (16b 0x4 0x6)
JH Kallis 73* (115b 5x4) V Sehwag 1.3-0-6-1
Klusener into the fray now.
43.4 Sehwag to Kallis, no run
43.5 Sehwag to Kallis, one run, swept to square leg for one, bringing
Klusener on strike.
43.6 Sehwag to Klusener, no run, a shuffle to off and then worked to
short midwicket for no run.
End of over 44 (3 runs) South Africa 214/4 (RR: 4.86 RRR: 48/6 = 8.00)
V Sehwag 2-0-7-1 - Khetterama End
JH Kallis 74* (117b 5x4) L Klusener 0* (1b)
Exactly 8 runs per over needed now. This will go down to the wire.
44.1 Kumble to Kallis, two runs, worke dinto the gap on the legside, and
the batsmen get two easily.
44.2 Kumble to Kallis, one run, and again, just getting bat on ball and
placing it to the legside and getting one.
44.3 Kumble to Klusener, one run, driven to long off, and Klusener gets
off the mark.
44.4 Kumble to Kallis, no run, loud appeal for leg before, but Kallis
had walked across his stumps too far and also stepped forward in
his bid to work it to leg, and the ball would have missed off.
44.5 Kumble to Kallis, one run, swept to squre leg for one more.
44.6 Kumble to Klusener, one run, drifting down Klusener's leg stump asn
well, and easily worked to square leg for one.
End of over 45 (6 runs) South Africa 220/4 (RR: 4.89 RRR: 42/5 = 8.40)
A Kumble 10-0-53-0 - Scoreboard End
L Klusener 2* (3b) JH Kallis 78* (121b 5x4)
45.1 Sehwag to Klusener, one run, dabbed to leg and a quick single taken
to short midwicket.
45.2 Sehwag to Kallis, no run, going for the mighty, mighty sweep and
missing. Loud appeal from Sehwag but turned down.
45.3 Sehwag to Kallis, one run, turned again to square leg for a single.
45.4 Sehwag to Klusener, no run
The run rate now breaches the nine-run-pwer-over barrier.
45.5 Sehwag to Klusener, no run, flat and quick, and Kluisener can only
play it back to the bowler.
45.6 Sehwag to Klusener, one run, a single to deep cover.
End of over 46 (3 runs) South Africa 223/4 (RR: 4.85 RRR: 39/4 = 9.75)
V Sehwag 3-0-10-1 - Khetterama End
L Klusener 4* (7b) JH Kallis 79* (123b 5x4)
More think tank discussions, and it looks like, along with deciding
who bowls the next over, also working out how to end world hunger
and poverty.
Tendulkar into the attack.
46.1 Tendulkar to Klusener, one run, pulled powerfully to square leg,
but still just the single.
46.2 Tendulkar to Kallis, FOUR, flighted, and Kallis comes a step dwon
the track to the off break and smashes it inside out through
covers, beating the sweeper to find the fence.
46.3 Tendulkar to Kallis, no run, an attempted sweep misses.
46.4 Tendulkar to Kallis, one run, full toss and Kallis smashes through
covers again, but this time he finds the sweeper for fone.
46.5 Tendulkar to Klusener, one run, down the track and smashed to long-
on, but again just the single.
46.6 Tendulkar to Kallis, two runs, smashed to long on, and the batsmen
run two, the throw at the non-striker's end not good, or Klusener
might have been struggling.
End of over 47 (9 runs) South Africa 232/4 (RR: 4.94 RRR: 30/3 = 10.00)
SR Tendulkar 4-0-32-0 - Scoreboard End
L Klusener 6* (9b) JH Kallis 86* (127b 6x4)
47.1 Sehwag to Klusener, no run, well bowled, flat and quick, played
straight to short midwicket.
47.2 Sehwag to Klusener, no run, down the track, but again only able to
play it right back to Sehwag.
The pressure must be getting on Klusener's nervs now.
47.3 Sehwag to Klusener, one run, steered to cover for one.
47.4 Sehwag to Kallis, two runs, a huge hoik over midwicket, but he
cannot find teh fence, the sweeper from long on running around to
collet. Kallis looks a little tired here.
47.5 Sehwag to Kallis, no run, again flat and quick, played back to
Sehwag.
47.6 Sehwag to Kallis, two runs, hit to long on, and the batsmen run
two, but still only five runs off this over.
End of over 48 (5 runs) South Africa 237/4 (RR: 4.94 RRR: 25/2 = 12.50)
V Sehwag 4-0-15-1 - Khetterama End
L Klusener 7* (12b) JH Kallis 90* (130b 6x4)
We should all know here that if South Africa tie this game, they
will make it through to the finals, so technically they need only
24 to get through to the finals.
Zaheer Khan into the attack, hoping to bowl out his 10.
48.1 Khan to Klusener, one run, moving to leg and tonking the full toss
right to mid-off.
48.2 Khan to Kallis, one run, up in the blockhole, square driven past
point to the deep point sweeper for a single only.
23 to win off 10 balls.
48.3 Khan to Klusener, no run, moving to leg again and the full toss is
smashed straight to Zaheer Khan.
48.4 Khan to Klusener, two runs, smashed into the deep in th eoffside,
and a fumble at the deep cover position enables the second run.
48.5 Khan to Klusener, no run, backing down leg, Klusener misses the
lowe full toss outside the off, and these dot balls are not
helping South Africa at all.
48.6 Khan to Klusener, no run, backing down leg again, and the full toss
outside off is let alone. Klusener expects a wide call, but nobody
is wided if the batsman bakcks to leg.
End of over 49 (4 runs) South Africa 241/4 (RR: 4.92 RRR: 21/1 = 21.00)
Z Khan 9-2-27-1 (4w) - Scoreboard End
JH Kallis 91* (131b 6x4) L Klusener 10* (17b)
21 off the last over, folks. This is the wire, and the match has
gone down to it.
Sehwag to bowl the final over.
49.1 Sehwag to Kallis, SIX, Sehwag around the wicket, and Kallis
launches into this one, sending it sailing over midwicket for
maximum.
49.2 Sehwag to Kallis, OUT: again the huge slog attempted, but this time
he does not get hold of it, and Kallis miscus it for the ball to
bobble up in the air just to the right of the off, and Dravid
takes a simple catch.
South Africa 247/5, Partnership of 34
JH Kallis c Dravid b Sehwag 97 (133b 6x4 1x6)
L Klusener 10* (17b) V Sehwag 4.2-0-21-2
And that ends a fine innings by Kallis, one that deserved three
figures but in the end could not get South Africa through.
49.3 Sehwag to Klusener, two runs, down the track and hitting to deep
midwicket for two, Klusener not finding the fence at all here.
49.4 Sehwag to Klusener, two runs, hit high up in the air, the ball
falling safely enough, and the batsmen get two more. Looking
increasingly hopeless now.
49.5 Sehwag to Klusener, no run, makes room but hits it straight to
cover, and Sehwag hugs Ganguly already in celebration, India have
this match in the bag.
49.6 Sehwag to Klusener, OUT: and that ends that! Klusener going for a
consolation six and skying that right into mid-off's hands, Kaif
making no mistake at all with that one.
South Africa 251/6, Partnership of 4
L Klusener c Kaif b Sehwag 14 (21b 0x4 0x6)
End of over 50 (10 runs) South Africa 251/6 (RR: 5.02 RRR: 11/0 = 0.00)
V Sehwag 5-0-25-3 - Khetterama End
SM Pollock 0* (0b)
Not that it mattered, because even a six off that ball would have
given India a win here, one that - when GIbbs and Kallis were
cruising - looked improbable, to say the least.
Ganguly, who flopped down on the turf immediately after Kaif took
that last catch, is now on television with tears of relief.
Looks like India have now made it a habit of scrapping till the
very last moment possible, at least in the one-day arena, and full
credit to every single team member for making this a contest.
Herschelle Gibbs, having hit his second hundred of this tournament,
looked to have hit a match-winning knock, but his retiring hurt
with cramps may have been one of the turning points of this match.
For as soon as the new batsmen came in, under lights and against
spinners turning the ball, the batting started to crumble.
Kallis stood alone among the ruins at one end as Rhodes,
Dippennaar, Boucher all came, struggled, and departed, while part-
time spinners like Sehwag ran amok.
Sehwag's three wickets, along with his 50-odd at the top of the
order, makes him a strong contender for Man of the Match, along
with Yuvraj SIngh for his 69 and his fine, fine fielding.
South Africa's post mortem will not be pleasant, for losing from
190-odd for one was a remote proposition indeed.
A tendency to choke has dogged South Africa for much of their one-
day career, and this match will go into creating just another
incident in the story.
So while India will celebrate all the way to the final - and
possibly even after it! - South Africa will have a quietly
reflective trip back home.
As expected, Virender Sehwag gets his second consecutive Man of the
Match award for his all-round performance,a nd this must be a
hugely satisfying tournament for him.
It will be even more so if India win the final, so tune in on
Friday to see who India take on in the final in the Australia vs
Sri Lanka semi-final.
Till then, goodbye.