Tendulkar defies South Africa
The legend of Sachin Tendulkar continued to grow on Sunday as the
Indian batting maestro hit his 50th Test century and shared a remarkable
partnership with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on the fourth day of the
first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park.
It was almost certainly not enough to save his team from defeat, with
India finishing the day on 454 for eight in their second innings, still
30 runs short of making South Africa bat again.
But it was an heroic effort which salvaged the reputation of an
Indian side which for much of the first three days seemed likely to
suffer a humiliating trouncing. Tendulkar (107 not out) and Dhoni (90)
put on 172 for the seventh wicket and defied the South African bowlers
for a minute short of three hours. It took a special delivery from fast
bowler Dale Steyn to end the stand shortly before bad light and an
approaching thunderstorm ended play for the day.
Steyn produced a vicious bouncer which Dhoni could only fend to
wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. In the next over Harbhajan Singh edged
left-arm spinner Paul Harris to slip.
South Africa seemed set for an early win when they took four wickets
before lunch, with a new ball available 13 balls after the break. At
that stage India were 277 for six, still trailing by 207 runs.
But Dhoni counter-attacked in thrilling fashion and South Africa’s
new ball pair, Steyn and Morne Morkel, were on the receiving end of some
cracking drives and cuts as Dhoni raced to a half-century off 40 balls
with nine fours.
AFP |