 de Villiers, Kallis put South Africa in an impregnable position
4th Apr 2008 19:01 IST
Agencies
de Villiers grinded the hapless Indian attack into the Motera dust in relentless fashion to carve out a splendid, maiden double century and also took part in a record stand for any wicket against the hosts to put South Africa in an impregnable position.
The de Villiers-Kallis duo erased current India coach Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson’s 1996-7 record stand of 236 runs in the process.
de Villiers also became the highest individual scorer for South Africa against the hosts. His fabulous yet responsible knock in only his 18th Test - put in right perspective the pathetic batting display by the much-vaunted Indian batsmen on the first day when they capitulated abjectly for just 76 in the pre-lunch session.
For India, skipper Anil Kumble tried various permutations and combinations since Thursday afternoon, including taking the second new ball soon after it was due, to break this fifth wicket stand, which came in 339 minutes and 479 balls, between the 32-year-old Kallis and the 24-year-old de Villiers. India eventually got success but late in the second session.
Kallis, who struck 14 fours and a six in his determined second century against India, and 30th overall that put him ahead of Sir Donald Bradman and abreast of another champion Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden, finally fell by dragging S Sreesanth's ball on to his stumps.
But de Villiers and wicket keeper Mark Boucher continued to pile on the agony for the hosts under the hot mid-day sun by adding 66 runs for the sixth wicket.
One of Villiers' sixes landed on the roof of the stadium as he swung Harbhajan and fell on the ground while completing the shot Rohan Kanhai-style.
The Proteas lost Boucher (21) and Morne Morkel (1) in quick succession, but by then they had positioned themselves in such a way that they can now only look forward to win.
continued.. |
