A century by Wasim Jaffer helped put India in a strong position on 254 for three at the end of the first day of the third and deciding Castle Lager Test against South Africa at Newlands on Tuesday.
It was a hot and frustrating day for South Africa after India won the toss and chose to bat first on a pitch that is turning out to be a ”belter”.
South Africa made three changes to the team that won the second Test in Durban last week. Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn both returned from injury, and the selectors decided to play at spinner at a ground known to be spin-bowler friendly. Andrew Hall and Morne Morkel were the two who had to make way, while Andre Nel was ruled out because of a badly bruised foot.
India made two changes, with Dinesh Karthik replacing the injured wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Munaf Patel, who had been out with an injury, coming in for Vikram Singh. India also made some changes to the batting order, with Virender Sehwag, who has had a poor tour, moving down the order and Karthik opening with Wasim Jaffer.
India batted through two full sessions without losing a wicket. The opening partnership of 153 between Jaffer and Karthik was the best by an Indian opening pair in South Africa, and it was the first time on their current tour of South Africa that the openers put on more than 50 runs.
Although India survived two sessions without losing a wicket, the South Africans bowled well and did not allow the visitors to run away with the match.
”I thought we bowled pretty decently,” said coach Mickey Arthur.
”India didn’t get away from us, and we hope to use the new ball early tomorrow to make more inroads.”
There was a moment of agony for captain Graeme Smith when he dropped Karthik on 32. Some brilliant, disciplined bowling by Shaun Pollock induced Karthik to edge the ball to Smith, who dropped what seemed a regulation slip catch.
The two openers both went past the 50 mark , Jaffer off 114 balls and Karthik off 144.
The initial breakthrough came first ball after tea when left-arm spin bowler Paul Harris, making his debut for South Africa, claimed Karthik’s wicket for 63, when Karthik was caught at silly point by Hashim Amla.
There was some doubt about whether he actually hit the ball with his bat — television replays were inconclusive — but Harris was ecstatic.
”I thought he bowled well,” said Arthur. ”He showed a lot of potential, once he got over his nerves. I certainly never expected him to be the one to bowl the most overs on the first day, but I thought he did very nicely.”
The Indian captain Rahul Dravid joined Jaffer at the crease, and immediately stepped up the scoring rate, but Pollock’s nagging accuracy eventually bore fruit when Dravid edged a ball to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. Dravid made 29 off 58 deliveries.
As the shadows lengthened, the new ball was taken, and this time it proved effective, when Jaffer, who had been batting for six hours, was caught at second slip by Jacques Kallis off Dale Steyn for 116. His century, the third of his career, came up off 197 deliveries, and took him just under five hours. Jaffer had also not had a good tour but showed signs in Durban of coming back into form, and fulfilled that promise on Tuesday.
”I’m very humbled that management gave me another chance,” said Jaffer.
”I am pleased I was able to repay their faith in me by scoring a century.”
He described the pitch as a good wicket to bat on.
”When we looked at it the day before the Test, we were surprised to find a pitch like that in South Africa.It looks like an Indian wicket, and it will definitely help the spin bowlers as the match goes on,” said Jaffer.
Arthur said South Africa were disappointed with the track, but were hopeful that it would not deteriorate too much over the next few days.
”It’s very like the strip we played on against New Zealand, and that did not get any worse as the match went on,” he said.
”But whatever happens,our first batting innings will be crucial, and we will have to bat very well.”
Ominously for South Africa, India have a very strong batting line-up, with Sachin Tendulkar (28 not out) and VVS Laxman (4 not out) at the crease, and players like Sehwag and Ganguly still to come. – Sapa