South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher on Wednesday said he was honoured to break Ian Healy's Test record for dismissals behind the stumps with 396 victims. The 30-year-old stumped Pakistani batsman Umar Gul for 12 on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi to reach the milestone.
South African spinner Paul Harris took a career-best 5-73 against Pakistan as the visitors extended their lead on the third day of the first Test in Karachi on Wednesday. The 28-year-old left-armer took full advantage of a spin-friendly pitch to help dismiss the home team for 291.
Pakistan will have to fight hard to save the first Test against South Africa after a masterly knock of 155 by Jacques Kallis put the tourists in command at the National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday. At the close on the second day, Pakistan were 127-5 in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 450, still needing a further 124 to avoid the follow-on.
Jacques Kallis scored his 25th Test century to guide South Africa to a commanding 294-3 after the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi on Monday. Kallis (118 not out) and Hashim Amla (71) put on 170 for the third wicket to justify captain Graeme Smith's decision to bat first on a slow pitch.
South African captain Graeme Smith won the toss and elected to bat in the first Test against Pakistan on Monday after Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf pulled out at the last minute. The 33-year-old Yousuf last week cancelled his contract with a rebel Indian league and made himself available for Pakistan.
Let's not talk about Jacques Kallis, shall we? Controversies around non-selection are the most boring aspect of sporting discourse and rarely confront real problems. Besides, the batsman's reputation is glowing thanks to his omission: by not being picked, he was saved from two-stepping Sreesanth, trying to glide a Yorker to third man, and being bowled for three.
Former Proteas vice-captain Jacques Kallis is back in the South African Test squad that leaves on Tuesday for a tour of Pakistan. Announcing the squad on Thursday morning, convener of selectors Joubert Strydom said relations with Kallis had returned to normal.
South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock believes the start of the Rugby World Cup in France on Friday has taken some of the pressure off the cricket team ahead of the ICC Twenty20 tournament. "We're a sports mad country, but I think a lot of the expectations are focussed on the Springboks," Pollock said at a press conference on Wednesday.
