South African Cricket Team's tour in India

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/520617_Dhoni-world-s--most-destructive--batsman--Laxman

Dhoni world's 'most destructive' batsman: Laxman

STAFF WRITER 18:56 HRS IST

Kolkata, Feb 16 (PTI) An elegant VVS Laxman, who shared undefeated 259-run seventh wicket partnership with Mahendra Singh Dhoni to help India secure a 341-run lead against South Africa in the second Test, feels his skipper is the "most destructive" batsman in the contemporary world.

Laxman, who cracked an unbeaten 143, and Dhoni (132n.o.) helped India amass 643 for six before the hosts declared their first innings on third day at Eden Gardens today.

South Africa had made 296 in their first essay.

"I think, he (Dhoni) is the most destructive batsman in the world at the moment. He is a like an all-rounder and is such destructive as a batsman that put the opposition under pressure," Laxman told reporters after the third day's proceedings.

"You can see the body language of the bowlers whenever Dhoni gets in. They become very defensive in the way they bowl and field.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jwr8CXta3PlI_5zHJ6l4URWf8e5w

Classy India in dominant position

(UKPA) – 3 hours ago

VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored centuries as India moved into a position of immense strength on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens.

Laxman oozed class and style en route to an unbeaten 143, his 15th Test century, and Dhoni played his part in a massive seventh-wicket partnership with 132 not out.

The home side eventually declared on 643 for six, a lead of 347, and South Africa faced the prospect of a tricky 10 overs before the close. Bad light, however, ended play early and the visitors closed on six without loss from the five deliveries that were possible.

India began another profitable day with a belligerent show from nightwatchman Amit Mishra (28), although shoddy fielding from the tourists aided India's cause considerably.

Laxman started briskly, turning Dale Steyn for consecutive boundaries in the first over and driving Paul Harris delectably through the covers, but it was Mishra's innings which proved frustrating for the visitors.

Mishra was eventually removed by Morne Morkel, with Jacques Kallis completing the dismissal with an excellent catch at second slip.

The home side went into the lunch interval at 431 for six, but the afternoon session was particularly pleasing for India's supporters as Dhoni and Laxman consolidated the home side's position by amassing 117 runs without surrendering a wicket.

India's last recognised batting pair were again cautious at the start of the final session and Laxman was stuck for some time on 99 before he eventually reached his fourth Test century in nine matches at Eden Gardens.

Dhoni then reached his fourth century and first against South Africa off 155 deliveries, making it only the second time four Indian batsmen have achieved centuries in the same innings.

Both batsmen then climbed into South Africa's weary attack as they extended the lead beyond the 300-run mark before the declaration was made.

 

[Pintu]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...s-the-Eden-crowd-gone/articleshow/5579923.cms

Where has the Eden crowd gone?
IANS, 16 February 2010, 03:01pm IST

KOLKATA: Eden Gardens is known for its packed stands during international cricket matches, with visiting sides often feeling intimidated by the raucous crowd.

But the ongoing South Africa-India second Test is an exception. There are large vacant spaces though only half the stands are available for the spectators.

Though Eden Gardens has a capacity of 90,000, only 45,000 seats were available for this match. Four of the stands have been demolished now as part of renovation for the World Cup next year.

However, barely 20,000 spectators turned up on each of the first three days, making it one of the lowest-attended Test matches at the historic venue, which held its first Test 76 years ago in 1934.

Douglas Jardine's England and the CK Nayudu led India had then finished with a draw.

Since then, Eden and its huge crowd known for its deep understanding of the game had become a part of the cricketing folklore.

But with the advent of One-day cricket and in recent times the Twenty20 version of the game, the popularity of Test cricket has hit a low.

Still, even during the last Test played here in 2007, the venue recorded more than 30,000-40,000 attendance as Indian and Pakistan cricketers battled it out.

"The modern day cricket fan is more interested in the shortest version of the game, no more in Test cricket," said Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Biswarup Dey.

However, he pointed out that the first Test at Nagpur had recorded a pathetic average attendance of 1,000 on the first two days. "In that way, Kolkata is much better off."

After trying to push only season tickets worth Rs.1,500 and Rs.750, the CAB resorted to selling daily tickets but that also failed to attract the crowd.

 

[Pintu]

Scorecard Update : Cricinfo link :

http://www.cricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/engine/current/match/441826.html

Regards

 

[Pintu]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...India-vs-South-Africa/articleshow/5581093.cms

2nd Test, Day 3: Statistical highlights of India vs South Africa
PTI, 16 February 2010, 08:19pm IST

KOLKATA: Statistical highlights of the third day of the second Test between India and South Africa on Tuesday:

India, with 643 for six wickets declared, have established a record for the highest total in India-South Africa Tests - the previous best being India's 627 at Chennai in March 2008.

India's total of 643/6 declared is their second highest at Eden Gardens - their highest being the 657/7 declared against Australia in March 2001.

Four Indian players (Sehwag, Tendulkar, Laxman and Dhoni) have posted hundreds in the same Test innings for the second time - the first instance being the 2007 Mirpur Test against Bangladesh when Dinesh Karthik 129, Wasim Jaffer 139 (retired hurt), Rahul Dravid 129 and Sachin Tendulkar 122 not out - had recorded centuries.

The Kolkata Test so far has recorded six centuries -the first instance in any Test between India and South Africa.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (132 not out) has registered his highest and the first century against South Africa.

Dhoni's aforesaid unbeaten knock is his highest in India, surpassing the 110 against Sri Lanka at Ahmedabad in November 2009.

Dhoni has posted his first century at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He is also the first wicketkeeper to make four centuries in Tests for India.

The unbroken seventh-wicket 259-run partnership between Laxman and Dhoni is India's highest for the seventh wicket in Tests, surpassing the 235 between Ravi Shastri and Syed Kirmani against England at Mumbai in November 1984.

The aforesaid partnership is India's highest at Eden Gardens, bettering the 101 between Mohammad Azharuddin and Roger Binny against Pakistan in February 1987.

VVS Laxman's outstanding knock of 143 not out is his highest against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

The aforesaid innings is Laxman's first century under Dhoni's captaincy, bettering the 64 against Australia at Nagpur in November 2008.

Except Mohammad Azharuddin, Laxman has recorded hundreds under all captains he played with.

Laxman has posted his first hundred against South Africa - his 15th in Tests. His previous best knock against South Africa was 89 at Port Elizabeth in November 2001.

Laxman became the first player to complete 1,000 runs at Eden Gardens, aggregating 1041 (ave.94.63) in nine Tests, including four hundreds and three fifties.

Gavaskar is the only Indian to aggregate 1,000 runs at two venues - 1122 (ave.56.10), including five hundreds, in 11 Tests at Wankhede Stadium and 1018 (ave.59.88), including three hundreds, in 12 Tests at Chepauk, Chennai.

Amit Mishra's 28 off 38 balls is his highest knock in India and the second best overall, next only to the 50 against Bangladesh at Chittagong last month.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5htLwXeEhCFP2G00GWdKH4sUtvbJg

Spinners put India on top

(UKPA) – 4 hours ago

Amit Mishra and Harbhajan Singh dispersed the gloom with a sparkling performance to put India on course for victory on a rain-hit fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens.

Mishra claimed Graeme Smith (20) in a morning session which was shortened to an hour due to a wet outfield and the spinner struck again in the afternoon to secure Jacques Kallis' (20) scalp, Harbhajan Singh removing Alviro Petersen (21) in between to leave the home side on course for a series-levelling win.

Rain and Hashim Amla (49 not out) were hurdles to more success for the home side as the Proteas ended the day on 115 for three, still 232 runs behind India's first innings score.

The start to the morning session was delayed by more than 90 minutes, but Smith and Petersen had made a determined start once play resumed.

Smith had eased the first delivery from Zaheer Khan for a boundary, but was thereafter troubled considerably by a testing line from the left-arm seamer and was beaten regularly by Harbhajan, who had shared the new ball.

The opening pair added 30 more to the overnight total when Mishra, introduced for the first time in the penultimate over before lunch, trapped Smith in front with a delivery which turned in slightly from an off-stump line.

Debutant Petersen, who scored a century in the first innings, had also struggled in the morning and had edged Zaheer in the second over, but the ball had fallen just wide of VVS Laxman at second slip.

Harbhajan, however, ended the opener's resistance in his second over after the lunch interval, Petersen squeezing a delivery that drifted in from off onto the pad, the ball looping up to Subramaniam Badrinath at forward short leg.

Kallis and Amla then revived South Africa with a 57-run stand for the third wicket, but Mishra returned to scalp Kallis, inducing an edge which went straight to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Ashwell Prince then negotiated four deliveries without scoring, but the weather had turned murky and the umpires suspended play about 30 minutes before the scheduled tea interval. Play was further held up by rain and although the players returned to the field, only one over was possible before stumps were eventually drawn.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/522661_Zaheer-pulls-muscle--Kirsten-says-nothing-serious

Zaheer pulls muscle, Kirsten says nothing serious

STAFF WRITER 18:45 HRS IST

Kolkata, Feb 17 (PTI) India had an injury scare today after pace spearhead Zaheer Khan developed a stiff leg muscle at a time when his team needs him most to win the ongoing second Test and level the two-match series against South Africa.

Having completed his spell of five overs, the left-arm quickie returned to the pavilion after developing some strain on his right leg.

It seemed he pulled up a muscled after the last ball of the 10th over.

After bowling just one over, the 21st over of the innings before the tea break, Zaheer once again went to the dressing and it was apparently due to some problems with his right knee. The player, however, was back on the field post-tea.

India coach Gary Kirsten assured it was nothing serious and said the team they would see how the pacer shapes up tomorrow morning.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/522136_Bad-light-halts-India-s-victory-march-against-SAfrica

Bad light halts India's victory march against SAfrica

STAFF WRITER 16:35 HRS IST

Tapan Mohanta

Kolkata, Feb 17 (PTI) India were left with just one day to push for a series-levelling win after rain and bad light truncated most of penultimate day's proceedings in the second cricket Test against South Africa here today.

Only 34.1 overs could be bowled between the weather disruptions and the Indian spinners managed to knock off three South Africans wickets to reduce them to 115 in 35 overs.

Hashim Amla once again stands between India and victory after his patient 80-ball 49 with Ashwell Prince (0) giving him company at stumps.

South Africa still need 232 runs to make India bat again in the match even though the hosts would hope to polish off the remaining seven wickets tomorrow to draw the series and remain the number one Test team.

 

[Pintu]

Scorecard Update : Cricinfo link :

http://www.cricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/engine/current/match/441826.html

Regards

 

[Pintu]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...th-Africa-second-Test/articleshow/5584953.cms

Statistical highlights of India-South Africa second Test
PTI, Feb 17, 2010, 08.58pm IST

KOLKATA: Statistical highlights on day four of the India-South Africa second Test match at Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

# Amit Mishra's figures of 2 for 15 are his best against South Africa.

# Ishant Sharma is averaging 188.00 in the present series, having conceded 188 runs, claiming just one wicket at a strike rate of 324.00.

# With his 20, Jacques Kallis (203 at an average of 67.66 has become the second South African after Hashim Amla (416) to aggregate 200 runs in the current series.

# Overall, Kallis is the fourth player to make 200 runs or more in the 2009-10 rubber - the top three being Hashim Amla (416), Virender Sehwag (290) and Sachin Tendulkar (213).

# Kallis has averaged 57.71 against India - 1087, including three centuries and five fifties, in 13 Tests - while his overall Test career average is 54.76.

# Hashim Amla, with another excellent knock, has become the first player to total 400 runs in the 2009-10 series - 416 (ave.416.00), including two hundreds.

# Amla's feat is a series record for the highest runs' tally in India-South Africa Tests, eclipsing Mohammad Azharuddin's run-aggregate - 388 (ave.77.60) in the three-Test series in 1996-97 in India, including two centuries and one fifty.

# Graeme Smith has a poor series against India - 30 in three innings at an average of 10.00.

 

[Pintu]

India wins after a defiant battle by S.Africa , Hats off to Amla, Report Copyright : AFP, Hosted by Google

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hqSV4oZZ6tp54tfO0Yw_CH5uZa2Q

India win S. Africa cricket Test despite Amla ton

(AFP) – 49 minutes ago

KOLKATA — India defied an unbeaten century from Hashim Amla to crush South Africa by an innings and 57 runs in the final Test on Thursday to draw the series 1-1.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh claimed 5-59 as the tourists, trailing by 347 runs on the first innings, were bowled out for 290 in their second knock with just nine deliveries remaining in the match.

Amla returned unbeaten on 123 to finish the series with an astonishing average of 490 after making 253 not out in the first Test and 114 in the opening innings of this match.

The 26-year-old from Durban battled for 394 deliveries and struck 16 boundaries in his ninth Test century, but failed to prevent his team from snatching a thrilling draw.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indians, who lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and six runs, retained their number one Test ranking with 124 rating points.

Second-ranked South Africa, who would have taken over from India if the match had ended in a draw, were left on 120 points.

Last man Morne Morkel (12) kept Amla company for 21.4 overs before being leg-before to Harbhajan in the penultimate over of the match in front of 40,000 relieved fans at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Wayne Parnell, who put on 70 for the eighth wicket with Amla, was dismissed in the fourth over after tea for 22. He was caught at mid-on off seamer Ishant Sharma.

Sharma also had Paul Harris caught in the slips for four, before Morkel and Amla almost pulled off a thrilling draw.

As the South Africans fought hard, India sorely missed pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, who was confined to the dressing room the entire day with a knee injury.

The overnight pair of Amla and Ashwell Price put on 47 for the fourth wicket, before Harbhajan broke through two hours after the start under bright sunshine.

The off-spinner beat Prince in the air and the miscued drive lobbed to Sharma at mid-off.

Left-handed Prince made 23 after scores of zero and one in the previous two innings of the series.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who left the field briefly for treatment on a sore right shoulder, returned to trap AB de Villiers leg-before for three with a googly just before lunch.

South Africa, who went to lunch at 164-5, slipped to 180-7 as Harbhajan claimed both Jean-Paul Duminy and Dale Steyn leg-before soon after play resumed.

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket board said in a statement that Zaheer would not feature in the one-day series against the Proteas starting on Sunday.

South African captain Graeme Smith will also miss the one-dayers due to a fractured finger and all-rounder Jacques Kallis will lead the tourists in his absence, the team management said.

The internationals will be played in Jaipur (Feb 21), Gwalior (Feb 24) and Ahmedabad (Feb 27).

 

[Pintu]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...tury-makes-India-wait/articleshow/5587821.cms

Defiant Amla century makes India wait
REUTERS, Feb 18, 2010, 02.32pm IST

KOLKATA: South Africa's Hashim Amla struck a defiant century to keep hosts India waiting for a second-Test victory that would level the series on Thursday.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took three wickets in a sensational 13-over spell, with eight maidens and conceding just nine runs, to leave South Africa struggling at 250/7 at tea, still 97 behind, on the last day.

Amla, who made 114 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 106 and left-hander Wayne Parnell was not out on a chancy 22.

Harbhajan dismissed overnight batsman Ashwell Prince for 23, JP Duminy for six and Dale Steyn for one in a spell that destroyed South Africa's middle-order after the tourists resumed on 115 for three.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra took his third wicket of the innings when he had AB de Villiers lbw for three just before lunch.

South Africa, 1-0 up in the series, are bidding for their first series victory in India in a decade and to reclaim the number one ranking from the hosts.

Indian spearhead Zaheer Khan did not take the field in the morning after straining his quadricep on the fourth day when only 34.1 overs had been possible due to rain and bad light.

The overnight pair of Amla and Prince stuck out 26.4 overs before Harbhajan struck when the off-spinner had Prince playing loosely to be caught at mid-off.

Mishra had de Villiers leg before with a googly and Harbhajan fired out left-hander Duminy and Steyn leg before in quick succession after lunch.

Amla, who hit a double century in the first Test at Nagpur that the tourists won by an innings, batted beautifully.

Amla forged a partnership of 70 with left-handed Parnell, who was lucky to be dropped on 13 by Suresh Raina at gully off pacer Ishant Sharma in the first over of the second new ball.

 

[Pintu]

Scorecard update:

Cricinfo link :

http://www.cricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/engine/current/match/441826.html

Regards

 

[Pintu]

Image of Hasim Amla : Image Copy Right : AFP

Hosted by Google at : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/slideshow/ALeqM5hqSV4oZZ6tp54tfO0Yw_CH5uZa2Q?index=1

Link : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5gLyNgPIWgbJbwfj9TXFibWq-2BnA?size=l

Regards

 

[Pintu]

Image of Harbhajan Singh : Image Copy Right : AFP

Hosted by Google at : http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/slideshow/ALeqM5hqSV4oZZ6tp54tfO0Yw_CH5uZa2Q?index=0

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/media/ALeqM5gBeQPtcg2CWPbnJl5I4wZ2J2dXLg?size=l

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[Pintu]

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100221/jsp/sports/story_12131510.jsp

All-rounders give strength: Kallis
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Jaipur: Stand-in South Africa captain Jacques Kallis sees the one-day series against India as part of the team’s 2011 World Cup preparations. The all-rounder addressed newspersons on Saturday and answered questions about the series.

The following are excerpts

Changes in the team

We’re trying to find the right combination and give everybody a fair chance. We need to get our game plan correct for the conditions and not make any mistake.

On the balance of the side

We are fortunate to have a lot of all-rounders. You need them in ODIs. In one-dayers, you want to bat as deep as you can and we have been fortunate in that aspect. It is good to have plenty of bowling options… Has been one of our strengths… Steyn, Langeveldt and other specialist bowlers have specific roles….

Whether it is difficult to switch over to one-dayers immediately after the Test series

Well, this is a different format altogether. We are disappointed to lose the Calcutta Test on the last day, but it is not going to have any impact on our performance in the one-day series.

Mark Boucher’s fitness

He’s more than 100 per cent fit. He should play the next match.

On Corrie van Zyl

Corrie has got his own ideas and they are a little different from Mickey’s (Arthur). He sat down with the team and explained what he wanted everyone to do. Though we don’t have too much time before the World Cup, we are looking forward to his ideas and how they shape up over the next year.

The importance of this one-day series

From the team point of view, there is a lot at stake in the series. World Cup is here in another year’s time, and a lot, including about conditions, can be learnt from this series.

On his own bowling

The role I play in ODIs is to fill up the fifth bowler’s slot. I am fortunate to have other all-rounders to support me.

Security arrangements

Well, it is surely disappointing. It is tough with so much security around and we don’t get to do much on the tour apart from playing cricket.

The dew factor

Hope it doesn’t come into play. But we’ll have to take it into consideration while batting and bowling. We are prepared for it.

Harbhajan Singh’s absence

He (Harbhajan) is surely a world-class bowler, but India have some more good bowlers and they are a strong one-day side.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gGy-7F7CzFdYJm7Y0HcRWkqnBUww

S.Africa send India in to bat in first one-dayer

(AFP) – 5 hours ago

JAIPUR, India — South Africa's stand-in captain Jacques Kallis won the toss and sent India in to bat in the first one-day international at the Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

India were without bowling spearheads Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, and frontline batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, for the opening game of the three-match series.

Harbhajan was given permission to miss the first two matches due to his sister's wedding, while the other three were injured.

South African captain Graeme Smith opted out of the one-dayers with a finger injury sustained during the Test series, which ended 1-1 last week.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf Pathan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Ravindra Jadeja.

South Africa: Jacques Kallis (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, Alviro Petersen, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, Charl Langeveldt, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn.

Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Amiesh Saheba (IND)

TV umpire: Sanjay Hazare (IND)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/528993_India-set-S-Africa-299-to-win-first-ODI

India set S Africa 299 to win first ODI

STAFF WRITER 18:44 HRS IST

Jaipur, Feb 21 (PTI) India fumbled and faltered before riding on a string of cameos to post 298 for nine against South Africa in the first of the three-match One-day series against South Africa here today.

Asked to bat first, Virender Sehwag (46) and Dinesh Karthik (44) added 79 runs for the second wicket while Suresh Raina (58) and Virat Kohli (31) raised 66 in the only other significant partnership in the stop-start innings.

South African captain Jacques Kallis led from the front, claiming three for 29 from his seven tight overs.

Meanwhile for India, it was hardly the start they fancied. Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost a crucial toss, which rendered defending the team total even tougher since the bowlers would have to operate with a slippery, bedewed ball.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iYMJ96_nLfOMyewJP68sDWowWuaA

India make 298-9 in first S.Africa one-dayer

(AFP) – 5 hours ago

JAIPUR, India — Suresh Raina top-scored with 58 off 63 balls as a depleted India chalked up 298-9 from 50 overs in the first one-day international against South Africa on Sunday.

Virender Sehwag chipped in with 46 off 37 balls at the top of the order after the hosts were sent in to bat in the day-night match at the Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur.

South Africa's stand-in captain Jacques Kallis picked up 3-29 from seven overs as the tourists were left to chase six runs an over under lights on a good batting wicket.

India are without bowling spearheads Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, and frontline batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, for the opening game of the three-match series.

Harbhajan was given permission to miss the first two matches due to his sister's wedding, while the other three were injured.

Kallis led South Africa in the absence of Graeme Smith, who opted out of the one-dayers with a finger injury sustained during the Test series, which ended 1-1 last week.

Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik (44) put on 79 for the third wicket in 75 balls to boost India after veteran Sachin Tendulkar was run out for four in the second over.

Sehwag, who hit two audacious sixes over the third man and cover region, was unlucky to be run out when a Karthik drive was deflected to the non-striker's wicket by bowler Charl Langeveldt.

Karthik and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) holed out to make India 138-4 in the 24th over, but Virat Kohli (31) and Raina lifted the hosts by adding 66 for the fifth wicket.

 

[Pintu]

South Africa 89/2 in 14.5 overs , Cricinfo update on Scoreboard

http://www.cricinfo.com/indvrsa2010/engine/current/match/441827.html

Regards