SPORTS

Dominant South Africa complete easy win

December 20, 2010

- Scorecard

South Africa crushed India by an innings and 25 runs in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at SuperSport Park, in Centurion, on Monday.

India were dismissed for 459 in 128.1 overs in their second innings on day five after lastman Jaidev Unadkat was caught at gully off Dale Steyn for one. The Indian innings lasted just 30 minutes and 35 deliveries on the final day, for the addition of just five runs, and the loss of two wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar, who created history by scoring his 50th Test century on Day 4, was left stranded on 111 from 241 balls, having hit 13 fours and a six.

Steyn finished with impressive figures of four for 105 in 30.1 overs, while Morne Morkel claimed two for 94, as the pace duo claimed seven wickets each in the match.

- Congratulate Tendulkar

Tendulkar and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who made a quick 90 from 106 balls, had launched a spririted fightback on Day 4, putting on 172 runs for the seventh wicket. Openers Virender Sehwag (63) and Gautam Gambhir (80) had given India a good start, putting on 137 runs for the opening wicket.

Tendulkar became the only batsman to scale 50 centuries in Test cricket by taking a single through the covers off Dale Steyn in the 115th over. Playing his 175th Test, the veteran batsman completed his century -- his seventh hundred of the year -- from 197 balls.

Earlier, Kallis smashed a career-best 201 not out from 270 balls, while de Villiers blasted 129 from just 112 balls, slamming 12 fours and five sixes, to help South Africa post a mammoth 620 for four in their first innings.

The two batsmen were nearly unstoppable as they added 224 runs in 226 deliveries for the fourth wicket in an attacking display not regularly witnessed in Test cricket. De Villiers was at his attacking best and made a mockery of the Indian bowling attack to score a century from just 75 balls.

Kallis also proved his utility with the ball as he claimed two wickets in the match, having Suresh Raina caught behind the wickets both times.

Pacer Morne Morkel claimed five for 20 as India were dismissed for a paltry 136 in 38.4 overs in their first innings.

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email