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McKenzie's 155*
secures a draw at Chennai |
Link to
Scorecard
The
Chennai Test ended in an inevitable draw with
the bowlers struggling to look penetrative even
on the final day's play. Opening batsman Neil
McKenzie batted right through the day's play to
end on an unbeaten 155 (from 339 balls with 13
fours and a six). McKenzie had started the day
on 59.
South Africa made an impressive 331 for 5 in
109 overs in their second innings before both
captains decided to call the match off. On the
final day, as expected there was some sort of
assistance for Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
However, the South African batsmen were well
equipped to handle whatever little threat that
was there. The overnight pair of McKenzie and
Amla went on strongly and it was only the latter
who fell in the first session. Amla, the first
innings centurion missed out on a hundred by 19
runs. He got one difficult delivery that kicked
off from the rough with a bit of turn from
Kumble. He made his 81 in 148 balls with 9 fours
to share a second innings stand of 157 with
McKenzie.
In the afternoon session, the Indians for the
second time were able to dismiss Kallis cheaply.
This time it was a nicely struck shot from SA's
best batsman, a full blooded sweep which was
beautifully caught in the deep by a diving RP
Singh. Kallis made 19 and got out to Harbhajan
for the second time. The next wicket came just
after 10 deliveries with Ashwell Prince (5 from
11) getting a delivery that had the bite from
the rough and Harbhajan got the bat pad to have
SA at 272 for 4, which was still a safe lead of
185. After a brief partnership with McKenzie, AB
de Villiers (11 from 41) fell to a bat pad
dismissal as well with Virender Sehwag taking
the wicket. SA were now 306 for 5 and the match
was almost coming to an end. The Indians took
the second new ball but couldn't make any
damage. McKenzie remained unconquered with his
4th Test hundred and Boucher was on 11 from 46
before the match was ended. The Man of the Match
was undoubtedly the Superman - Virender Sehwag.
Both sides had batted well, so there's
nothing to worry about that department going
into the Ahmedabad Test. The South African
bowling came good on the fourth day's play with
Steyn and Ntini getting back to their own while
Morne Morkel looked impressive right through the
match. On the other hand, the Indian pacers
looked ordinary. There were just a few good
deliveries from Sreesanth. Kumble and Harbhajan
did all they could on a lifeless slow wicket.
The thing that separates the two teams is the
fielding with the home side putting on an
uninspiring effort. The Indian fielding was
totally sloppy overall although there were a
couple of outstanding catches.
The second Test starts from April 3rd at
Motera, Ahmedabad which is traditionally a slow
and low turner. The quick bowlers will be in
play as well with reverse swing which was ably
demonstrated by Javagal Srinath, who won
a match
against SA with a 6-wicket haul.
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