India rip through South Africa, close in on victory

Sunday April 13, 04:42 PM

By N.Ananthanarayanan

KANPUR, India (Reuters) - India dismissed South Africa for just 121 in their second innings to keep the hosts firmly on track for a series squaring-victory in the third and final test on Sunday.

When India bat for a second time, they will require a mere 62 runs to register victory on the third evening after the tourists crumbled on an unpredictable Green Park pitch following the third day tea interval.

South Africa started the day badly when India took a vital 60-run first innings lead in the morning by reaching 325, and the visitors found themselves deeper in trouble when they lost their last six wickets for 31 runs after reaching tea on 88-4.

Off spinner Harbhajan Singh and fast bowler Ishant Sharma struck in quick succession before occasional spinner Virender Sehwag claimed his third wicket to end the innings.

Harbhajan took 4-44 and Sehwag 3-12.

Harbhajan removed AB de Villiers for seven in the first over after tea and then tail-ender Paul Harris (0) after the 19-year-old Sharma dismissed Mark Boucher (5) and Morne Morkel (0) in the same over.

Sehwag had triggered the slump after he dislodged key batsman Jacques Kallis (15) with his first delivery and bowled skipper Graeme Smith around his legs for 35. The pair added 38 runs in their 90-minute third wicket partnership.

Resuming on 288-9, Indian last wicket pair Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Sharma put on 46 runs before India were dismissed an hour into play in reply to South Africa's first innings 265.

Sreesanth was out for 29 and Sharma remained unbeaten on 14 after seeing off 13.3 overs together.

Saurav Ganguly top-scored for India with a superb 87 on the second day after Vangipurappu Laxman hit 50, the duo providing useful partnerships down the batting order.

Pacemen Dale Steyn, Morkel and spinner Paul Harris claimed three wickets each.

India lost the second test by an innings and 90 runs after the first test in Chennai ended in a high-scoring draw.

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