South African bowlers strike early

South Africa’s fast bowlers ripped out three Indian batsmen cheaply when the first Test got under way after a rain delay at SuperSport Park here on Thursday.

India, sent in to bat, were 55 for three at tea.

Dale Steyn had Virender Sehwag caught at third man for nought before Morne Morkel struck twice within five balls to dismiss Gautam Gambhir (5) and Rahul Dravid (14).

Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 22 and was the only batsman able to score boundaries in front of the wicket, twice pulling Lonwabo Tsotsobe to the fence and driving the same bowler through the covers for another four.

Gambhir was caught at first slip when he pushed away from his body and Dravid was trapped leg before wicket by a delivery which cut back sharply to provide Morkel with his 100th wicket in his 29th Test. Morkel took two wickets for four runs in seven overs, with two of the runs conceded through no-balls.

Heavy rain overnight and during the morning delayed the start by four and a half hours and South African captain Graeme Smith had no hesitation about sending India in on a green, damp pitch.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he too would have chosen to bowl first.

Sehwag, who scored only 89 runs at an average of 14.83 in three Tests on his previous tour of South Africa four seasons ago, fell to third ball he faced, slashing at a delivery from Steyn which seamed away from him and presenting Hashim Amla with a comfortable catch at third man.

Gambhir survived a concerted appeal for a catch behind off Morkel with the South Africans seemingly convinced he had gloved the ball to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

With India having vetoed the umpire decision review system, the home side could not challenge umpire Steve Davis’s decision.

Gambhir made another four runs in an unconvincing performance before falling in Morkel’s second spell. CENTURION, AFP