India Vs SA - Third Test Match
January 2, India’s Jaffer made a strong position on the first day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands. India reached 254/3 at the close with Sachin Tendulkar batting on 28 and V.V.S.Laxman on 4. Jaffer made 116.
Dinesh Kaarthick, made 63 and helped Jaffer put on 153 for the first wicket. India took a big step towards ensuring that they go home with at least a share of the honours. Jaffer, made a risk start to the tour of South Africa, with a top score of 10 from his first five innings. He showed signs of form when he made 26 and 28 in the second Test in Durban. Jaffer batted for six hours, faced 244 balls and hit 15 fours. He preached his third century in his 17th Test off 197 balls. He was caught by Jacques Kallis. It was Kellis’ 100th Test catch for South Africa.
Mahindra Singh Dhoni was ruled out because of an injured right middle finger. Kaarthick surely is a better keepre than Dhoni. Jaffer was the senior partner, striking some firm drives and neat clips off his toes, while Kaarthick was content to leave the ball alone as much as possible early in his innings before playing some more expansive strokes.
Left arm spinner Paul Harris broke the the stand, playing in his first Test, when he had Kaarthick caught at silly point off the first ball. But replays suggested the ball might not have hit the Kaarthick’s bat before looping off a pad to Hassim kl 1/74.
When the Indian captain edged a catch to wicketkeeper Mark boucher Pollack claimed the wicket of Dravid after scoring 29. Harris was one of three changes to the SA team that levelled the series by winning the Durban Test by 174 runs. This is the great day for India.
