ANANTHARAMAN MURALIKUMAR, Bombay | Saturday 2.00pm
WICKETKEEPER Mark Boucher’s nuggety 27 not out saw South Africa to a spectacular four wicket victory over India with two days to spare in the first Test, despite a four wicket slump.
The touring team, needing 163 to win, were shaken when they subsided from 107 for two to 128 for six after tea on the third day.
However, Jacques Kallis held firm with an unbeaten 36 and Boucher struck his quick-fire 27 to steer the South Africans home at 164 for six with two days to spare.
India, 49 ahead on first innings, were dismissed earlier in the day for 113 in their second innings after being 75 for five overnight.
Openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs gave South Africa a useful start in pursuit of their target with a stand of 51 before leg-spinner Anil Kumble had Kirsten caught behind by Nayan Mongia for 20.
Gibbs hit 46, including nine fours, being caught off Kumble with the total on 76.
Kallis and captain Hansie Cronje edged it up to 107 before the his run-out and three quick wickets to the spinners revived Indian hopes.
Left-arm slow bowler Murali Karthik removed Pieter Strydom for three and Kumble snapped up Lance Klusener for one and Shaun Pollock for five.
With Kallis anchoring one end, Boucher carried the attack to the bowlers, hitting six fours in his 27 made out of an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 36 to secure victory.
Of the five wickets to fall in the morning, paceman Pollock took two to finish with four for 24, Cronje also took two to end with three for 23, and Javagal Srinath was run out.
For India, Rahul Dravid was top scorer with 37 and Mongia was unbeaten with a rapid 19.
Tendulkar was named man-of-the-match for his first innings of 97 and three wickets in South Africa’s first innings.
The second and final Test starts in Bangalore next Thursday. — Reuters