Proteas again found wanting

ONE POSITIVE: LINDE, ON DEBUT, TAKES FOUR WICKETS

Ranchi

Proteas spinner George Linde said yesterday he learnt lessons during India’s 497/9 declared as he claimed four wickets on debut in the third Test.

Linde returned figures of 4/133 with his left-arm spin, providing some support to paceman Kagiso Rabada who had put the hosts in early trouble at 39/3 on day one.

“I didn’t expect to play Test cricket. So when I got the call-up I was quite nervous but luckily I had a few days to settle,” Linde told reporters.

“Today a few lessons learnt, especially at the end. But I will take four wickets on debut.”

Rohit Sharma, who made 212 – his maiden Test double ton, and Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 115, put on 267 for the fourth wicket before Linde broke through.

Linde got Rahane caught behind in the morning session and then hurt the middle order with the wickets of Wriddhiman Saha, for 24, and Ravindra Jadeja, for 51.

“Obviously consistency is very important (in India),” said Linde. “We got it wrong on the leg side yesterday, today I was lot better, bit more on the off-side.”

Linde nearly got Sharma on 28 but Zubayr Hamza spilled the chance at forward short-leg.

“Those catches, they stick or they don’t. So unfortunately it wasn’t our way, it was Rohit’s,” said Linde. “So well done to him.”

Sharma meanwhile described his maiden Test double century as “most challenging” after he lifted India out of early trouble.

“I (have) played only 30 Tests,” said Sharma. “In terms of what was thrown at me, I would definitely say it was probably the most challenging one.

“Having played only three Tests as an opener, I know I have a long way to go. I will take a lot of positives but I’m not reading too much into it,” he added.

The tourists were in trouble at 9/2, with India’s fast bowlers sending the opposition openers back to the pavilion.

Zubayr Hamza, on nought, and skipper Faf du Plessis, on one, were at the crease when bad light stopped play for the second successive day.

Mohammed Shami got Dean Elgar caught behind for a duck and Umesh Yadav sent Quinton de Kock trudging back to the pavilion for four. –