Kallis hundred helps South Africa in reaching 362 in their first innings
The second day of the last Test match proved to be a good one for the South African team as Jacques Kallis again came to his best and scored another century to lift the Proteas chances of winning the series. Jacques Kallis was successful in scoring another
century in the series and played the Indian bowlers in an impressive manner. Jacques Kallis innings made the South African batsmen realize of the fact that if a player can bat with this fact in mind that he has to spend some time on the wicket than he can
come on top of every situation.
South Africa resumed from their overnight score of 232-4 and still needed their middle order to bat in a responsible manner to reach a safe total in the first innings. The presence of Kallis was vital for the South African side, as his wicket was the Key
for the Proteas in reaching a 350 mark in the first innings.
South Africa resumed from their overnight score of 232-4 and looked keen to score some vital runs for their team. The first innings always play a crucial role for any team, and whichever team is able to make a decent first innings score always gets an upper
hand in the match. Ashwell Prince played some impressive shots in his innings and took the Indian attack on. India did not have to wait too long for a wicket and soon got the first wicket of the day when Sreesanth dismissed Prince with a gem of a delivery.
It was not what the Proteas had required at that moment as losing an early wicket on a seaming pitch could open a pathway for further wickets. The fear proved correct as Sreesanth struck with back to back deliveries and took the wicket of Boucher the next
ball. The ball had all the characteristics of a classical off stump delivery, as the ball pitched in line of the off stump and moved at the last moment away from the batsmen. Boucher tried to defend the ball but managed to get an edge on it which was comfortably
taken by the keeper. Two over’s later, India managed to get the 7th wicket of South Africa when they send Steyn back to pavilion for a duck.
Suddenly, South Africa were reduced to 272-7 and it was looking difficult for them to reach the 300 mark in their innings. But again, it was Mr perfect Jacques Kallis who came forward for South Africa and proved his mettle. It was a classical innings from
a classical player as he batted at a time when his side was losing quick wickets and were in danger of being bowled out for below 300.
He took the burden of South African innings on his own shoulders and helped South Africa in reaching 362 in their first innings. Even when South African wickets were falling in a quick succession Kallis was in his supreme touch and did not let go of any
opportunity to score runs go by. He played a lot of drives on the off side and whenever the Indian bowlers bowled the fuller deliveries he capitalized on them and went with his favorite drives in the mid wicket region.
He also played a lot of punches on the off side and showed an excellent technique in his batting. It was not an easy task for Jacques Kallis as the ball was moving a lot and the bowlers were also bowling with a lot of pace. Kallis first contributed a 27
run partnership with Paul Harris to take the South African total past the 300 mark, and then he was equally efficient in contributing a 52 run partnership with L Tsotsobe.
He played the role of an anchor in South African innings and proved to everyone that why he is labeled as the most correct batsmen in the South African lineup. Kallis finally lost his wicket to Zaheer Khan after making 161 crucial runs for his side. Kallis
went after a wide delivery from Zaheer and gave an edge to the Keeper. In the end, South Africa had managed 362 in their first innings and were successful in posting a reasonable total in their first innings.
India in response to South Africa’s total managed 142-2 at the end of the second day. India lost the early wickets of V Sehwag (13) and R Dravid (5) but later recovered well from it as their batsmen managed a partnership of 114 for the 3rd wicket.
At the end of the day, India managed 142 runs for the loss of two wickets with G Gambhir (65*) and S Tendulkar (49*) still present at the crease.