Proteas, India Test rests on weather
Rain has final say in Newlands
Rain prevented any play on the third day of the first Test between South Africa and India at Newlands yesterday, but with fine weather expected for the remaining two days there is still a good chance of a result.
South Africa were on 65 for two in their second innings – an overall lead of 142 – at the close of play on Saturday.
With a potential 98 overs on both today and tomorrow, the bowlers of both sides will be hoping for more success on a pitch which has helped the fast bowlers.
South Africa will be without fast bowler Dale Steyn, who suffered a left heel injury on Saturday.
He was consulting a specialist yesterday and was not at the ground, but initial estimates were that he would be out of action for between four and six weeks.
Unseasonal rain fell for much of the day across drought-stricken Cape Town. There was a brief break in the weather at lunch-time when the ground staff started to remove the covers, only for rain to return.
Meanwhile, Steyn‚ who was playing his first Test since November 2016‚ when he fractured a shoulder while bowl- ing at the WACA‚ left the field midway through the last over before tea on the second day.
“During Dale’s 18th over‚ in his delivery stride‚ he landed awkwardly in the footholes and this caused a significant strain to the foot‚ leading to tissue damage on the underside of the foot in the heel area‚” South Africa’s team manager and doctor Mohammed Moosajee said.
“He’s unlikely to bowl [again] in this Test match because the recovery period could be anything from four to six weeks‚ which means he could be out for the series.” –