India vs South Africa, Highlights, 3rd Test, Day 3: Poor Pitch Halts Play At Wanderers, South Africa Need 224 Runs To Win
Highlights, India vs South Africa, 3rd Test: India, seeking to prevent a whitewash in the three-match series, were 100 for four at lunch, an overall lead of 93.
Poor pitch and weather conditions forced the third day's play to stop as South Africa ended at 17/1 at stumps in the third and final Test match at Wanderers. Mohammed Shami took the only wicket as he sent Aiden Markram back to dressing room cheaply. Earlier, India played with intent and gave South Africa a 241-run target in the third and final Test match at the Wanderers on Friday. At lunch, Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli took India ahead with their patient batting and added runs to the board. However, Rabada cleaned up Vijay at the stroke of lunch. In the second session of the game, Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane scored briskly and extended India's lead. Both Kohli and Rahane looked solid but an absolute jaffa from Rabada struck the top of Kohli's off-stump leaving the batsman clueless. However, Rahane and Bhuvneshwar strung together a 55-run partnership as India inched towards the 200-run mark lead. Post tea, India lost Rahane early as he fell two short of his half-century but were steadied by some lusty blows from Shami which left the Proteas frustrated. While Shami clobbered the pacers for boundaries at will, Bhuvneshwar held the wicket from the other end. Shami, being too ambitious, pulled an Ngidi short delivery to de Villiers at deep square leg which put the onus on Bhuvneshwar to score runs. After Shami and Bhuvneshwar's 35-run partnership was broken, the Indian innings wrapped up quickly. While South Africa will aim to bat out the third day without losing any wicket, India will hope to put the visitors on the back foot by sending the opposition top order back. (Scorecard)
Catch the highlights of India vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 3 straight from Johannesburg
21:00 IST: It is stumps! South Africa 17/1 at stumps on day 3, need 224 runs to win.
That's it from the @BullringZA for today. Play has been called off. First the pitch held up play and then after some rain. SA under pressure at the moment after closing on 17/1. Target 241 #SAvIND #SunfoilTest #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/s0kn0lmtP6
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
20:55 IST: Stay tuned!
20:53 IST: Drama here! It has started to rain and the covers are being brought on.
20:52 IST: Commentators are of the opinion that the play shouldn't have been halted as the the ball which hit Elgar was a short delivery and nothing extraordinary.
20:50 IST: Sunil Gavaskar in the commentary box is fuming as he says that if Indians had walked off in such conditions then they would have been called sissies!
20:47 IST: Play has been stopped now.
Play has been stopped for now by the umpires after a few big blows to the body of Elgar, the last to his head. The pitch is the issue at the moment. SA are 17/1 for now chasing a target of 241 #SAvIND #SunfoilTest #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/uurXQn4XqP
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
20:43 IST: Both captains are now meeting with the match referee to talk about the nature of the pitch and should the match be continued or not.
20:42 IST: The players are leaving the field and the on-field umpires as well. It seems the match referee does not want the game to be continued.
20:39 IST: Following a few nasty blows, the match referee is on the field to discuss the nature of the pitch with the on-field umpires. Real worries here.
20:37 IST: Elgar is yet again on the receiving end. The South African is not at all impressed with the pitch. Length delivery yet again from Bumrah and the ball picks up and hits the batsman on the helmet grill.
You don't want anyone getting hurt. This test is now on borrowed time
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2018
20:36 IST: The pitch is not at all favoring Dean Elgar. Bumrah bowls a length delivery, the ball pitches and moves a long way to miss Elgar's bat and hit him on the thigh pad.
20:34 IST: Jasprit Bumrah introduced in the attack.
20:33 IST: Four! Short delivery going down the leg side, Elgar on one foot, pulls it away for a much needed boundary.
Tough going so far for Elgar and Amla. The opener has 8* and SA are 14/1 chasing a 241 target #SAvIND #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/V7lD013NaD
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
20:30 IST: Shami and Bhuvneshwar are getting assistance from the pitch as the South African batsmen are struggling to score runs.
20:20 IST: Five overs gone, South Africa 8/1 (Amla 2*, Elgar 2*), need 233 runs to win.
20:07 IST: Hashim Amla is the new batsman in.
20:05 IST: OUT! What a delivery from Shami.Short of a length delivery from Shami, reared off the surface, which forced the batsman to poke at it and Parthiv behind the stumps times his jump and completes the catch.
WICKET!!! India have started with a bang here as Markram falls to a poor shot attempt at Shami and ends up edging to Patel for 4. SA 5/1. Target 241 #SAvsIND #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/aZTL4nULgf
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
20:00 IST: Mohammed Shami comes into the attack.
19:57 IST: Four! First ball boundary for Markram. In-swinger from Bhuvneshwar, Markram covers his off-stump, stands tall and flicks Bhuvneshwar for a boundary through the square leg region. Good start for the Proteas.
19:56 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is opening the bowling for India and Aiden Markram will face the new ball.
19:55 IST: Welcome back to the second innings of South Africa, they need 241 runs to win.
19:44 IST: This is it! India 247-all out, give South Africa 241-run target for victory. Philander dismisses Bumrah.
That brings an end to an exciting 2nd innings from #TeamIndia. Some gritty contributions from the lower-order as well & South Africa will need 241 for victory #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/ZJp0mS8TSH
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2018
19:43 IST: Ishant and Bumrah out in the middle are frustrating the South Africa bowlers. Ishant is throwing his bat at everything to score some valuable runs for his team.
19:36 IST: Four! Ishant Sharma gives himself room, clears the front foot and clobbers Ngidi through the covers for a boundary.
19:33 IST: Jasprit Bumrah is the new man in.
19:30 IST: OUT!! Morkel gets the imporatnt wicket of Bhuvneshwar. India are nine down and lead South Africa by 233 runs.
19:22 IST: Ishant Sharma is the new man in.
19:20 IST: OUT! Ngidi dismisses Shami for 27. Short delivery from Ngidi, Shami pulls and de Villiers at deep square-leg takes a regulation catch.
19:15 IST: Not just boundaries, Shami and Bhuvneshwar are stealing quick singles which is keeping the scoreboard ticking. Brilliant stuff.
19:04 IST: SIX! Shami welcomes Rabada with a maximum over deep mid-wicket. It is like Shami is on a mission.
Morkel ko 6, Rabada ko 6 .
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 26, 2018
Vijay ka, Rahul ka, Pujara ka,
Sabka badla lega re tera Shami :)
19:00 IST: Four! Length ball from Philander, Shami pulls and top edges the ball over the keeper's head for a three-bounce boundary. Crucial runs for the Indian side.
18:55 IST: SIX!! Length ball from Morkel, Shami frees his arm and sends the ball in the stands. Massive from the Indian.
18:52 IST: India reach the 200-run mark lead. Great batting from the Men in Blue.
18:48 IST: OUT! Morne Morkel gets the big man, Rahane departs two short of half-century. Morkel strays on the leg-side, Rahane looking to glance, feather edges the ball as de Kock completes the proceedings. India lead South Africa by 196 runs.
WICKET!!! Finally SA have their breakthrough to end a superb 55-run stand. Rahane is out caught behind attempting a leg-side flick. He falls for 48 and India 203/7. Lead is 196 #ProteaFire #SAvsIND #SunfoilTest pic.twitter.com/AvwQHy5qJS
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
18:40 IST: Huge shout for caught-behind from Philander and de Kock but Faf du Plessis does not go upstairs as he is not convinced.
18:33 IST: 200 comes up for India as they inch towards the 200-run mark lead. Bhuvneshwar and Rahane look in top form.
18:31 IST: Day 3, Session 3 begins
18:12 IST: TEA | Day 3, Session 2 ends
Rahane and Bhuvi have stitched an important 50-run partnership to give the visitors a healthy lead as per the current conditions. The hosts' dropped two catches which will definitely haunt them later in the match. India 199/6, lead South Africa by 192 runs
And, that's Tea on Day 3 of the 3rd Test with #TeamIndia 187 &199/6 (Ajinkya 46*, Bhuvneshwar 23*), lead South Africa (194) by 192 runs.
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2018
Updates - https://t.co/ixhjf9zV0h #SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/9xyLkHIhqo
18:07 IST: 50-run partnership up between Rahane and Bhuvi off 70 balls. Morkel has been bowling well but the batsmen duo of Rahane and Bhuvi are equally impressive. India 198/6
17:53 IST: FOUR! Bhuvi is just playing all the shots in his book. India are doing the right thing in accumulating as many runs as possible as there isn't much batting left after this. India 193/6
17:48 IST: DROPPED! Rahane dropped on 38 by Andile Phehlukwayo. Second catch dropped in a spate of two overs. This will certainly haunt the hosts later in the match. India 181/6
India has enough. Every run from here is a bonus. #SAvIND
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2018
17:43 IST: DROPPED! Bhuvi dropped at slip by Deal Elgar. Bhuvi was batting on 15 in the 59th over. Morne Morkel is furious. India 178/6
17:38 IST: FOUR! Bhuvi hits a boundary, these are precious runs for him as it came off the top of the bat. India 175/6
Rahane and Bhuvi. Two most likeable cricketers, not just in India but in world cricket. Don't have the flamboyance that many like but exceptional skills and determination in tiring circumstances. https://t.co/akhaI9CpNd
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 26, 2018
17:37 IST: A 220+ score on this track should give us a result. India has the bowling firepower to trouble the South African batsmen. India 171/6
17:36 IST: Play resumes.
17:35 IST: Play halted as umpires deliberate on the pitch as Rabada's ball hits Rahane's bat handle. Virat Kohli gestures to the on-field batsmen to stay put. India 169/6
17:31 IST: Two runs. A good shot driven towards the long off. De Villiers saves a certain boundary with his good fielding skills. India 168/6
17:25 IST: India extend lead to 150. Rahane has to bat till the end to ensure India give a heakthy target to the South Africans. India 159/6
17:21 IST: 150 up for India as they extend lead to 144 runs. Rahane (28*) and Bhuvi (3*) are batting. India 151/6
17:14 IST: OUT! India lose their sixth wicket as Pandya departs for 4. Caught and bowled by Rabada. A superb catch. Wickets in quick succession for the hosts. What a way to start after the break for Rabada and South Africa. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the next batsman in for India. India 148/6
Lead only 140 still. Mikey Holding thinks it is reasonable but India will have to scrounge around for another 50 here.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 26, 2018
17:12 IST: Drinks. Time for both teams to strategise.
16:59 IST: FOUR! Wonderful shot driven towards the leg side boundary by Rahane. Gently pushes the ball for a boundary. This is his time to shine now. India 145/5
Love the way Ajinkya Rahane Bats ..... Pure class .... #SAvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 26, 2018
16:52 IST: OUT! India lose their fifth wicket as Kohli departs for 41. An unplayable delivery by Rabada takes the Indian skipper by surprise and gets bowled. Hardik Pandya is the new man in India 134/5
16:46 IST: FOUR! A sublime shot driven towards the onside boundary. The ball races to the boundary. A good-looking shot by Rahane. India 133/4
16:31 IST: FOUR! Rahane joins the party this time. The right-hander stays back and cuts the ball towards backward point for a boundary. India 123/4, lead by 116 runs.
16:29 IST: FOUR! Kohli takes a big stride and plays a beautiful cover drive.
16:24 IST: Rahane drives the ball towards long on. He will get 3 runs.
16:22 IST: Excellent running between the wickets from Rahane and Kohli. 2 runs for Rahane.
16:10 IST: Welcome back to the second session of the day. Ajinkya Rahane is the new batsman in.
15:35 IST: THAT'S LUNCH AT THE WANDERERS.
India 187, 100/4 (Virat Kohli 27*; Philander 2/21) lead South Africa (194) by 93 runs at lunch on Day 3
At Lunch on Day 3 of the 3rd Test #TeamIndia 100/4 (Virat 27* & Vijay 25), lead South Africa (194) by 93 runs #SAvIND #FreedomSeries
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2018
Updates - https://t.co/ixhjf9zV0h pic.twitter.com/CDLCGMlgxl
Lunch Break | India 100/4
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
with a lead of 93 runs #SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/aqioAO5uQt
15:30 IST: WICKET! Kagiso Rabada strikes just before lunch. The pacer castles Murali Vijay for 25 runs. India 100/4, lead by 93 runs
15:25 IST: 100 comes up for India. The lead is now 93 runs. Virat Kohli 27*, Murali Vijay 25*
14:48 IST: FOUR! What a shot from Kohli. He comes a bit forward and drives Ngidi towards extra cover for a boundary. India 77/3, lead by 70 runs.
14:44 IST: FOUR! Virat Kohli sends Kagioso Rabada towards mid-on for a boundary. India 71/3, lead by 64 runs.
14:32 IST: It's Drinks time at the Wanderers.
Score Update | India 66/3
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
Vijay 19
Virat 4
Lead by 59 runs#SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/GLgsrD6pzO
14:10 IST: FOUR! Excellent shot from the Indian skipper. Kohli sends Philander towards deep extra cover region for a boundary. India 62/3, lead by 55 runs.
14:00 IST: Captain Virat Kohli comes to the crease.
13:58 IST: WICKET! Morne Morkel removes Cheteshwar Pujara for 1 run. India 57/3, lead by 50 runs
13:55 IST: Morne Morkel to Cheteshwar Pujara. 4 runs LEG BYES.
13:50 IST: Pujara sends Philander towards fine leg for a quick single.
13:45 IST: Ouch! Murali Vijay is hurt by a bouncer from Morne Morkel. Vijay throws his bat and limping. But he seems alright.
13:43 IST: Cheteshwar Pujara is the new man at the crease.
13:40 IST: WICKET! Vernon Philander strikes, KL Rahul departs for 16 runs. Poor shot from the Karnataka batsman. His horror tour ends. India 51/2, lead by 44 runs.
WICKET | Philander gets the wicket of Rahul 16 who's caught by du Plessis at second slip. India 51/2. Pujara is the next batsman for India. #SAvIND #FreedomSeries #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/G3qN8tWEcZ
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
13:33 IST: 50 comes up for India. The lead is now 44 runs. KL Rahul 16*, Murali Vijay 15*
50 up for India, 51/1
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
Rahul 16
Vijay15
Lead by 44 runs #SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/LTktol2VF6
13:30 IST: KL Rahul and Murali Vijay are making their way to the middle. Kagiso Rabada is ready with the ball. Here we go...
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Proteas are out of the field ready to get day 3 started. India will resume on 49/1 with Vijay on 13 and Rahul on 16. #SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/7qF8phi8mE
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 26, 2018
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13:25 IST: Wish you all a Happy Republic Day.
Here's wishing everyone a very #HappyRepublicDay #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/00EwGWyOLn
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2018
13:20 IST: KL Rahul and Murali Vijay will aim to extend India's lead in the first session.
Big batting day coming up. How much more can this pair add up to the overnight total? Action in 45 mins #TeamIndia #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/1exnn5R7Vi
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 26, 2018
13:15 IST: Hello and welcome to the Live coverage from Day 3 of the third and final Test in Johannesburg.
Batsmen faced extreme difficulties on a pitch criticised by two former South African and Indian captains, Shaun Pollock and Sunil Gavaskar, who are commentating on the match for TV. Pointing to cracks and indentations on a good length, with graphics showing extravagant movement and unpredictable bounce, Pollock said: "If you've got deliveries behaving like this on day two of a Test match it can't be judged a good surface." Gavaskar said the pitch was "totally in favour of bowlers". India, trying to avoid a whitewash in the three-match series, could feel reasonably satisfied with their efforts towards the close of play.
Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel was promoted to open the batting and the little left-hander batted brightly to score 16 off 15 balls before he was caught at gully off Vernon Philander from an inside edge which looped off his thigh pad.
Regular opener Lokesh Rahul joined Murali Vijay and saw India through to the close.