Fiery Steyn guns down Aussies, SA draw level
PORT ELIZABETH: Dale Steyn produced a ferocious spell of fast bowling to inspire South Africa to a crushing 231-run victory over Australia in fading light on day four of the second Test.
With rain predicted for Monday, Steyn charged in and took four wickets, including the key scalp of Australia captain Michael Clarke, as the tourists lost 10 wickets for 90 runs having looked comfortable at 126 without loss chasing a record 448 for victory.
Only opener Chris Rogers showed any real resistance with a fine 107, this third ton in four tests, as he shared a century opening stand with David Warner (66), but for the remainder it was a procession as none of the other batsmen reached double figures.
The result left the three-match series level at 1-1 with the third test starting in Cape Town on Saturday. After JP Duminy had removed Warner and Morne Morkel grabbed the wicket of Alex Doolan (five), Shaun Marsh picked up a pair in the match and now has six ducks in his last 11 Test innings. He was lbw to Vernon Philander.
Then began the Steyn onslaught as Clarke (one) was brilliantly caught by Faf du Plessis at second slip and Steve Smith trapped lbw first ball. That wicket showed evidence of reverse swing and Steyn produced more as he clattered into the middle stump of Brad Haddin (one) for the second time in the match.
BRIEF SCORES
South Africa 423 & 270/5 dec (H Amla 127*) beat Australia 246 & 216 (C Rogers 107, D Warner 66, D Steyn 4/55, V Philander 2/39) MUMBAI: It looks like Ranchi is set for a double delight.
The city may be soaking in the glory of hosting the Hockey India League (HIL) in front of a full house, but soon the hometown of India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will host Test cricket. Ranchi is on the verge of getting the status of a permanent Test venue. HT had earlier reported that the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack too was on the threshold of being accorded the status of a permanent Test venue.
A BCCI-led team, comprising MV Sridhar, general manager (cricket operation) and James Rego, director, broadcasting service, BCCI, will visit the Jharkhand State Cricket Association stadium in Ranchi to do venue inspection on February 26.
The delegation will place its report before the BCCI working committee whose meeting is scheduled on February 28 in Bhubaneswar. Former India Test batsman Gundappa Vishwanath, whose name is also on the list of BCCI delegates, will not be able to make it for the inspection owing to personal reason.
“I was supposed to visit Ranchi and Cuttack as part of the delegation, which would take note of the facilities in both the stadiums. But owing to personal reason, I will not be able to travel. But the venue inspection team will go ahead and submit its report,” said Vishwanath.
Sounding confident, the secretary of Jharkhand State Cricket Association, Rajesh Verma, said, “Yes, the BCCI team is coming here to inspect our stadium. We are confident of meeting the criteria. We have eight practice wickets, a state-of-the-art stadium fully equipped with a gymnasium, sauna in the dressing room, a media box with all the modern facilities, indoor practice facilities, excellent outfield, toilet facilities for the paying public etc. Also, Ranchi has many fivestar RAJESH VERMA, JSCA secretary hotels now. In brief, the JSCA stadium is fully capable of offering every facility.”
The stadium, which has a capacity of 40,000, has already hosted a One-dayer, while one ODI got abandoned due to rain. The stadium has also hosted a few IPL and Champions League matches.
But the special attention East Zone is getting from the BCCI goes beyond the cricketing infrastructure. As reported in HT earlier, this has the footprints of BCCI president N Srinivasan’s ‘look east policy’, which borders on his ambition of getting reelected as BCCI chief from East Zone once his tenure ends in 2014. East Zone can expect a few more sops in the days to come.