At one stage it seems that the same script will be written once again as in Nagpur with South Africa scoring big in the first inning and the Indians struggling to get pass South African totals despite batting twice but a dramatic turnaround by the Indian bowlers to reduce South African score from 228/2 at tea to 266/0 at stumps on day1 of second test at Eden Garden, Kolkata give India more than a chance now to win the match a level the series 1-1. South African who were cruising nicely for 228/2 at team and seems to be set to get another big first inning runs on the board but a combined effort from Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh (three wickets each) ran through middle order to reduce the South African score to 266/9. It was a stunning collapse for the South Africans, who were at one stage cruising along courtesy fluent centuries by debutant Alviro Petersen (100 runs) and Hashim Amla (114 runs). South African went into tea break at 228/2 but so far a wicket less Harbhajan bounce back tremendously to take three wickets in the space of three overs. Ishant Sharma and Amit Mishra also picked up one wicket each to contribute to South African dramatic collapse. South Africa loss 7 wickets in the last session of play and scored just 38 runs in 26 overs of play. Earlier, South Africa after electing to bat first face an early jolt when Zaheer Khan bowled Graeme Smith for the second successive time in the series. But thanks to 209 runs partnership for the second wicket between A.Petersen and Hashim Amla they were able to bounce back strongly before the collapse peg them back. Match Summary (Day1 Stump) South Africa 1st Inning– 266/9 in 81 Overs H.Amla- 114 A.Petersen– 100 Harbhajan Singh– 23-2-60-3 Zaheer Khan- 21-5-77-3 |
