Is this for real ? History @ Joburg
Can anyone who had followed the Indian team for the last several years, could have predicted a test victory in SA under 3 1/2 days against SA ? Very, very unlikely. The 3rd day started with India consolidating through VVS and a new look Zaheer. Zaheer's role in this partnership was such a key factor in the context of the whole game, since Dhoni and Kumble had fallen qucikly and a traget around 300 would not look that imposing for SA. Zaheer, who fell to an ugly stroke in the 1st, gritted his teeth and held his end and later uncorked some amazing strokes. VVS was the usual calm self and kept collecting the singles, amidst an odd 4 here and there. When both of them fell, an incident which took place (and it will be replayed 100s of times in our TV screens) enjoy this video if you had missed it http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8805298664838411956&q=sreesanth%2C+nel
Sreesanth was sledged by Nel (as usual) after he missed connecting a ball. Nel ran in and bowled the next ball and it was hoicked for a massive 6 over his head. Sreesanth ran to the other end, doing a war dance with his bat before Nel. Nel had to simply shut his mouth and move on.
Ranjan Madugalle, who wanted to take a leaf out of Chris Broad's book later fined Sree for this act but I simply do not understand, why he did not do anything - not even a warning to Nel?
The target of 400 was quite imposing, given the jittery nature of SA batting. Gibbs was out before lunch (bagging a pair) and the SA slide started right there. Zaheer plugged on one end and Sree kept continuing his good work with another 3 more wickets but it could have been easily more, but for MARK BENSON, who made sure that INDIAN CRICKET LOVERS do not forget Steve Buckenor, when he said not out for an edge which flew at a 10 deg angle from bat by Prince.
Prince and Pollack revived the SA innings but it was kind of too late and old warrior AK contrinuted a couple of key wickets. To me, the hero of 2nd innings is Zaheer. His one hand pick up and a direct hit runout of De Villiers, who is no slouch with the speed between wickets along with early wicket really made sure that there was no hope for SA.
It was a great, historical victory, given the fact that Indian test victories abroad have been far and few. Let us revel in this glory for a brief while, before the challenge revives on a hard and boucy Kingsmead at Durban for the 2nd test.
Sreesanth was sledged by Nel (as usual) after he missed connecting a ball. Nel ran in and bowled the next ball and it was hoicked for a massive 6 over his head. Sreesanth ran to the other end, doing a war dance with his bat before Nel. Nel had to simply shut his mouth and move on.
Ranjan Madugalle, who wanted to take a leaf out of Chris Broad's book later fined Sree for this act but I simply do not understand, why he did not do anything - not even a warning to Nel?
The target of 400 was quite imposing, given the jittery nature of SA batting. Gibbs was out before lunch (bagging a pair) and the SA slide started right there. Zaheer plugged on one end and Sree kept continuing his good work with another 3 more wickets but it could have been easily more, but for MARK BENSON, who made sure that INDIAN CRICKET LOVERS do not forget Steve Buckenor, when he said not out for an edge which flew at a 10 deg angle from bat by Prince.
Prince and Pollack revived the SA innings but it was kind of too late and old warrior AK contrinuted a couple of key wickets. To me, the hero of 2nd innings is Zaheer. His one hand pick up and a direct hit runout of De Villiers, who is no slouch with the speed between wickets along with early wicket really made sure that there was no hope for SA.
It was a great, historical victory, given the fact that Indian test victories abroad have been far and few. Let us revel in this glory for a brief while, before the challenge revives on a hard and boucy Kingsmead at Durban for the 2nd test.
posted by Crick_Love at 6:27 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home