SA v India Test series

[David B]

Two very strong Test sides. Until recently perhaps the strongest after Australia, but now both probably better than an Australia in decline.

Also until recently both much stronger than England, but now that is not so clear cut.

Anyway, on a helpful pitch the SA bowlers have gone through one of the strongest batting line-ups in cricket, now 93 for 6 as I write.

Need a good partnership from Dhoni and Harbajan now.

Personally I'd like to see India take the series, partly because - fine cricketers though they are - I rather dislike both Smith and Kallis. Hard to understand why - a touch of Dr Fells in both cases. And I very much admire Tendulkar, as well as some of the other Indian bats.

Lucky 4 for Harbajan there, just gong past gulley in the air. Followed by a good 6, to take them past 100.

David

[rcscwc]

visit ndtv.com for scoreboard.

India bombed in the first innings.

[David B]

In the Second test honours about even at lunch on the first day - two wickets down to the new ball, but Sachin still there.

It would be great to see another fine hundred from the Little Master.

David

[David B]

No such luck, though.

Up to Dravid and Laxman to consolidate now - fine players both, but I'd rather have watched Sachin.

David

[David B]

It seems a match where the bowlers have the upper hand over the bats, but low scoring games have their own fascination. India have a slight edge at the moment, but it's anyone's game.

For the sake of interest in the series from a neutral (ish) person, it would be nice to see India win it.

But now, as I type, another wicket to Morkel, and India 148 for 7.

David

[rcscwc]

On day 2, as many as 18 wickets fell. SA bundled out in just 3 hours. Poised for an exceitement, but not for weak hearted.

Talk of a minefield.

[David B]

Just watched the end of it, and despite losing the toss India win reasonably comfortably in the end, though a great partnership from SA had the potential to pull it out of the fire.

Didn't happen, though, and now the series is nicely poised.

Laxman's knock in the second innings was perhaps the difference - I think he'd be my man of the match. Wonder if the powers that be will agree with me. Zaheer Khan, Harbajan and Shreesanth might have a claim, too. An d Dhoni, come to think of it.

David

[Rie]

Sachin is poetry in motion.

[rcscwc]

India has levelled.

Interesting. Dhoni has not lost a series so far.

[David B]

So India hung on for a draw in the fourth innings, to leave the series between the current two top teams in world cricket even.

On points, though, it is an Indian win for me, because they were playing on less familiar pitches, and because the amount of international cricket these days dictated that they came into the first Test, which they lost, unprepared for South African wickets.

Some great performances, notably from Tendulkar and Kallis.

David

[Rie]

My Doctor is back from India and it would be nice for him if India does well. I've grown fond of the old lost in the wilderness born again Christian. And he had all those cool religions and gods to believe in!