South Africa v India 2013: 1st Test: Day 2: 5 of the Best Plays of the Day

Another absorbing day of Test cricket that finished just about even, but both sides had their moments to take control of the first Test match on what was another day that showed the world, that Test match cricket is well alive, and can make for engrossing viewing as well.

Here are 5 of the best plays from Day 2.

1. The Collapse

The last five wickets tumbled really fast for India

After resuming at 255/5, India would have been hoping for MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane to push on and get the team to a score in excess of 350. But, that did not happen. Vernon Philander finally found the right areas and Morne Morkel continued from where he left off on Day 1. Morkel got the wicket of Dhoni and from there, the floodgates opened, as India lost their last 5 wickets for 16 runs, in the space of 4.3 overs.

2. The Battle

Graeme Smith was dismissed by Zaheer Khan, again!

Zaheer Khan vs Graeme Smith was a much talked about match-up in the lead-up to this series, and that mini-battle certainly lived up to its billing. On his return to Test cricket, Zaheer was every bit as probing and as threatening as he has been, but Smith negotiated it well, albeit with some luck. He played and missed on numerous occasions, and there were a number of edges that eluded the fielders. But, just as he has been through his career, Smith remained resilient and full of grit, as he went on to make a crucial 68.

3. The Partnership

Hashim Amla added 93 with Graeme Smith

After Ishant Sharma trapped Alviro Petersen in front, the ever reliable Hashim Amla walked out, and with Smith, set out to put South Africa in command. They were well on course to doing that, with a partnership of 93 that thoroughly frustrated India. Smith was never really at his best, and Amla nowhere near as fluent as he normally is, but both of them managed to stick around , and frustrate the Indian bowlers.

4. The Collapse – II

Ishant Sharma was brilliant

Amla and Smith were threatening to take the game away from India when the seamers struck. In the space of 9 Balls, Amla, Kallis and Smith were back in the pavilion, Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan causing the damage. When Mohammad Shami accounted for JP Duminy and AB de Villiers, South Africa had lost 5 wickets for 16 runs (Deja Vu?) in the space of 39 balls, and India were well and truly on top.

5. The Partnership – II

Vernon Philander

If India have not walked away on Day 2 in firm control of the Test, it is completely down to the fight shown by Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander. de Plessis kept taking blows to his body, but remained unperturbed, and Philander looked largely untroubled. Philander also essayed some wonderful strokes to end the day unconquered on 48, with du Plessis giving him good company on 17, in an invaluable stand of 67.

2 days of Test cricket at its very best, and there isn’t a clear idea yet, as to who has the upper hand. Day 3 will probably decide that, and if the first two days are anything to go by, Day 3 is surely not one to be missed.