SA vs Ind 3rd Test, Day 4: India bundle out Proteas for 177, win Johannesburg Test
Johannesburg: India clinched a 63 run victory over South Africa in the final match of the Freedom Series on Saturday at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. After setting up a target of 241 to chase, the visitors were given early hope after claiming the wicket of Aiden Markram on Day three.
But Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar took the momentum from India by striking a crucial 119-run partnership for the second wicket.
As the Proteas continued to frustrate Virat Kohli’s men, Ishant Sharma got rid of Hashim Amla just before the tea break. The visitors reassessed their ideas and came back strongly to tighten their grip on the match.
Jasprit Bumrah dismissed AB de Villiers to put South Africa under pressure. Moments later, Ishant claimed his 2nd wicket of the evening by dismissing Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis.
Elgar put on a spirited show but couldn’t help losing partners quickly at the other end. Vernon Philander, Andile Phehlukwayo and Morne Morkel were sent packing by Mohammed Shami.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar also joined the party by dismissing tailender Kagiso Rabada before Shami claimed a five-for by dismissing Lungi Ngidi.
South Africa 177-10 after 73 overs:
WICKET! India wrap the Johannesburg Test with a soft dismissal. Short of a length delivery and Lungi Ngidi pokes at it. The ball flies to Dinesh Karthik and the Indians are excited for a review. UltraEdge confirms a deft touch and South Africa are bundled out with Dean Elgar at the crease.
South Africa 157-7 after 68 overs:
WICKET! Shami on a roll and the Indians are pumped. Bowls a fuller one round the wicket to Phehlukwayo and the debutant looks to defend without any feet movement. The ball gets an inside edge and rattles the timber.
WICKET! Shami bowls a short one and Philander goes for the pull shot. The pitch doesn't produce the necessary bounce and the batsman gets a thick inside edge onto the stumps.
South Africa 145-4 after 62 overs:
WICKET! Faf du Plessis' short stay at the crease comes to an end. Ishant pitches it up outside off and ball swings sharply back in. The ball keeps low and makes it was through the gates before rattling the wickets. India are keeping themselves alive in the contest.
Wicket! Sharma cleans up the SA captain Du Plessis (2) with a ball that keeps low. India are now pumped as the hosts slip to 144/4. Target 241 #SAvIND #SunfoilTest #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/uMz2tJ7pJB
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 27, 2018
South Africa 131-3 after 56 overs:
WICKET! Jasprit Bumrah sends de Villiers packing with a beauty. Back of a length around off stump and the batsman gets a thick edge that finds Ajinkya Rahane at slips.
Wicket! A massive strike by Bumrah as he gets one to jump off the wicket, take the edge of De VIlliers and fly to gully for 6. SA now 131/3 #SAvIND #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/LX97ezs3Ct
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 27, 2018
South Africa 136-2 after 53 overs:
WICKET! Just what India needed at this moment. The big partnership between Amla and Elgar comes to an end after the right-hander looks to shuffle across the stumps but finds Hardik Pandya at mid-wicket.
Wicket! India have finally got their breakthrough as Amla is dismissed for 52. Sharma, who has looked the most threatening all day, is the man to strike and he is aided by an excellent Pandya catch. SA 124/2. Target 241 #SAvIND #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/eMonwfGdea
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 27, 2018
Lunch:
Play has resumed between the two teams and players have made their way to the middle. The forecast is clear, but the main concern is regarding the outfield and field officials have sprayed sawdust on particular patches.
Here are the revised timings for today's match:
1st session - 11am to 12:30pm.
Second session - 1:10pm to 3:25pm.
Third session - 3:45pm to 6pm.
Meanwhile, both the teams can be allowed to play for half an hour more if the conditions are favourable.
The start of fourth day's play between South Africa and India has been delayed due to wet outfield.
There will be an inspection by the umpires as to when the play can resume.
The sun has just about showed up but the umpires are worried about a certain patch in the ground that is damp. Next inspection by 10:30 local time #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Tz9hXP3MpV
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 27, 2018
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Preview
Virat Kohli-led Team India will hope to clinch their first win in South Africa as they face the Proteas on Day four of the third Test here on Saturday.
Day three had to come to an unfortunate end, after Dean Elgar suffered a huge blow on his head, courtesy a short-pitched delivery by Jasprit Bumrah.
Following this, the players walked off the field, and to make matters worse, it started raining, bringing the covers on. Soon after this, it was declared that it would be stumps.
South Africa, who are chasing a target of 241, will resume their day on 17-1. It was Mohammed Shami who got the wicket of Aiden Markram early in the Proteas’ run chase.
Earlier on the third day, South Africa had bundled out the visitors for 247, with Virat Kohli scoring 41 runs and Ajinkya Rahane scoring 48.
Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, too, contributed 27 and 33 respectively.
