 Ganguly's counter-attack keeps India afloat in Kanpur
12th Apr 2008 20:00 IST
Agencies
India managed to keep themselves afloat in the crucial third and final Test against South Africa at Green Park in Kanpur today with Sourav Ganguly leading a gutsy counter-attack on a track which will make batting more tricky in the coming days.
The hosts recovered from a jittery 123/4, in response to South Africa's first innings total of 265, to finish the second day on 288/9, managing a slender lead of 23 runs with one wicket in hand.
The elegant Ganguly held the innings together with a strokeful 87 off 119 balls while VVS Laxman (50), Yuvraj Singh (32) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (32) chipped in with useful contributions in what turned out to be an engrossing battle between bat and ball.
When play began this morning, the Indian openers had the task of providing a solid platform but did not succeed.
Dale Steyn, who generated a fair amount of pace in his first spell, drew first blood for the visitors by getting rid of the dangerous Virender Sehwag who could hang around for just 21 minutes at the crease.
Sehwag was trapped leg before by a delivery, which was angled into the right-hander, and the Indian opener hardly moved his feet to be trapped plumb in front.
The Indians suffered another jolt immediately after the first drinks break when Morne Morkel, who replaced Steyn from the pavilion end, struck in his first over by accounting for Wasim Jaffer who never really looked comfortable in the middle.
The Mumbai batsman fell to a leg before decision to Morkel's fast ball which hit him low on the pads as he tried to move across the line, leaving India at a precarious 35/2.
continued.. |
