South Africans show sings of discomfort against spin

Had it not been for the three catches spilled by senior pros Nayan Mongiaand Mohammed Azharuddin, the visitors would have been staring at anuncomfortable total. Barring opener Gary Kirsten, none of the other batsmenappeared good enough to thwart the spin duo of Murali Karthik and HarbhajanSingh.

The 24-year-old Karthik exhibited a lot of guile to trouble the rivalbatsmen, who were intent on employing the sweep shot to chart the escaperoutes. However, luck seemed to have deserted the Railways’ left-arm spinnerwhen it mattered most as all the catches were dropped off his bowling.

Opener Herschelle Gibbs was let off by Mongia, when the latter failed tolatch on a leading edge in Karthik’s first over when the batsman had made 16and the team score read 42. Gibbs used the opportunity to compile 53 runsand string a 104-run association with Kirsten.

However, Karthik claimed the left-handed Kirsten in the concluding over ofthe first session. Trying to steer through the slips, Kirsten found Azharplucking a fine reflex catch. Azhar’s fielding high lasted lest than an houras he blotted his performance sheet by grassing Daryll Cullinan and JacquesKallis off Karthik’s successive overs. Cullinan and Kallis were then on 17and 36 respectively.

The Kallis-Cullinan association, which was worth 87 runs, ended with asuperb bit of athleticism by Mohammed Kaif. Though umpire K Murali raisedhis finger the moment Kaif’s throw hit the stumps, television replays showedthe batsman had made his ground.

Cullinan’s dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, resulting in three morewickets falling for the addition of 27 runs. With seamer Debashis Mohantyovercoming an erratic first spell (5-0-33-0) and Harbhajan changing hisbowling line from the leg and middle stump to off and middle, the SouthAfrican batsmen were in a spot.

`The Executioner’ Lance Klusener did little to justify his reputation as hewas claimed by Karthik for a blob. In the previous over, Harbhajan harriedthe left-hander no end and almost succeeded in dismissing him. But theoff-spinner grounded a powerful straight drive on his second attempt.

As had been the script for the day, the South Africans hit out whencornered. Hansie Cronje and Mark Boucher used attack as the best form ofdefence to rake up 54 runs and remained unbeaten on identical scores of 33when stumps were.

If Karthik bowling display was the highlight of the day for the President’sXI, Azhar’s catching and Mongia’s shoddy collections were the sore points.

An early declaration tomorrow by the South Africans is expected. Should ithappen, an exciting contest could well be on the cards. It would also givethe Indian selection panel, which is in full attendance here, to have aêidekkoêr at the batting potential before they meet on Sunday afternoon topick the Indian team for the first Test.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa (1st innings)

Gary Kirsten c Azhar b Karthik 56 (79b, 122m, 7×4)

Herschelle Gibbs c Kaif b Harbhajan 53 (128b, 142m, 9×4)

Jacques Kallis c Mongia b Mohanty 50 (113b, 150m, 4×4, 1×6)

Daryll Cullinan run out (Kaif) 43 (93b, 120m, 6×4)

Hansie Cronje batting 33 (62b, 98m, 5×4)

Peiter Strydom c&b Harbhajan 14 (21b, 26m, 2×4)

Lance Klusener b Karthik 0 (7b, 14m)

Mark Boucher batting 33 (49b, 47m, 6×4)

Extras:(4b, 1lb, 6nb) 11

Total: (for six wickets in 91 overs) 293

Fall of wickets: 1-104 (Kirsten, 29.5 overs), 2-125 (Gibbs, 36.2),3-212 (Cullinan, 66.4), 4-217 (Kallis, 68.5), 5-234 (Strydom, 76), 6-239(Klusener, 78.4)

Bowling: Mohanty 13-4-45-1 (nb 2), Kumaran 13-5-28-0, Karthik29-2-95-2 (nb 1), Bhandari 11-2-29-0 (nb 2), Harbhajan 24-1-88-2 (nb 1),Jadeja 1-0-3-0