Batting carnage as South Africa blast India aside

EIGHTEEN wickets fell in a day as South Africa beat India in the first of three battles between Test cricket’s two leading teams at Newlands yesterday with both captains hailing the pitch’s contribution to the batting carnage.

“The pitch was outstanding,” said Indian captain Virat Kohli after South Africa won the first Test by 72 runs with a day to spare. It was great for Test cricket. Both teams were in the game at different stages. As a team we really enjoyed being part of this Test match.”

“This was as good as it gets in Test cricket. It was fantastic to be part of it. It definitely ranks as one of my favourite Test matches,” said South African captain Faf du Plessis.

India were bowled out for 135 after being set to make 208 to win. Man of the match Vernon Philander led the South African attack, which was missing the injured Dale Steyn, taking six for 42.

India had earlier bowled South Africa out for 130 in their second innings. Eighteen wickets fell during the day while 200 runs were scored on a pitch which had plenty of life after being under covers for all of the third day, which was rained off.

Kohli was disappointed with the batting of his No. 1 ranked team – but felt they had shown they could compete with their nearest challengers in pace-friendly conditions.

He said India were looking forward to taking the South Africans head-on in the second Test starting at Centurion on Saturday.

“We needed someone to go out there and score 75 or 80 and we need to sit down and talk about stringing together partnerships. You can’t afford to lose three or four wickets quickly as we did today.”

Du Plessis admitted that he was nervous about defending a low target after South Africa lost their last eight wickets for 65 runs before lunch.

It was a match that was full of drama from the first morning when South Africa crashed to 12 for three after choosing to bat on a seaming pitch.

“We’re a team that is prepared to take risk to try to win matches. We knew the pitch would speed up. We were surprised how quick it was on the first day but today was very difficult for batsmen,” said Du Plessis. – AFP