First Test @ Newlands, Cape Town Jan 05 - 09,2018- Preview
Hasim Amla is the second highest run-getter for South Africa against India (1325) in Test matches behind Jacques Kallis (1734).
Hasim Amla is one of only three South Africans, with Jacques Kallis and AB de Villers being the other two, to score 1000-plus runs against India in Test matches
Not just that; Hasim Amla's nine half-centuries are the second most by a South African against India, while he has the highest score by a South African against India in Test matches (253*)
With no Jacques Kallis around this time, Hasim Amla will be expected to shoulder extra workload as AB de Villiers is making a comeback to the longest format after a sabbatical.
While captain Faf du Plessis has enjoyed a prolific run in Test cricket over the last two years, Amla will be the Proteas' 'go-to' man if the Indian pacers manage to put the hosts under pressure.
India though will be upbeat because Amla, the run machine, has not been at his prolific best against them at home. In South Africa, Hashim Amla has scored just 384 runs in 8 matches against India at a measly average of 27.42. He has played 14 innings and has just three half-centuries to show for in those outings against the Indians on home soil.
Moreover, 335 of his runs have come while batting in the first innings at an average of 41.87, but has scored just 49 runs in the 2nd innings at a woeful average of 8.16.
Day One Friday Jan 05,2018
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first
Bhuvneshwar kumar Emulates Kapil Dev, Picks up Wkt in 1st Over of a Test For 1st Time Since 1992
By doing this, the medium pacer emulated the great Kapil Dev as this was only the second instance since 1992 that an Indian pacer had picked up a wicket in the first over of a Test match outside the sub-continent. Incidentally, Kapil Dev also achieved the feat against South Africa during the historic tour of 1992-93, when he sent back Jimmy Cook at Durban with the first delivery of the match.
Bhuvneshwar bowled in the channel outside the off stump and managed to induce an edge off the bat of Deal Elgar, which was pouched easily by Wriddhiman Saha.
That wasn't all, Bhuvneshwar accounted for other opener - Aiden Markram - and also got the better off Hashim Amla in the subsequent overs as India reduced the hosts to 12/3 in 4.5 Overs
Dean Elgar 00(3 Balls)
Aiden Markram 05(11 Balls 4x1)
Hasim Amla 03(10 Balls)
Markram was setup beautifully as he got the ball to move out and then got the next deliver to jag back in to strike him right in front of the pads.
Amla jabbed at one outside the off stump, which was a rather ordinary shot in the circumstances. The late movement meant he could only manage to edge one straight to Saha.
After the loss of 3 wickets South African innings was steadied by AB de Villiers and Faf du Plesis wh put on 114 Runs for the 4th wicket
AB de Villiers was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah for 65(84 Balls 4x11)at the score of 126
Soon Faf du Plesis departed for 62(104 Balls 4x12)at the score of 142
At close of play India were28/3 in 11 Overs with Cheteshwar Pujara 05* and Rohit Sharma 00* at the crease
Earlier India lost Openers Murali Vijay 01 and Shikhar Dhawan 16 and Captain Virat Kohli 05 in quick succession in a span of 8.1 Overs
Earlier South Africa were bundled out for 286 in 73.1 Overs with
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar 4/87( 19 Overs)
Ravichandran Ashwin 2/21(7.1 Overs)
Mohammed Shami 1/47( 16 Overs)
Hardik Pandya 1/53(12 Overs)
Jasprit Bumrah 1/73(19 Overs)
South Africa Vs India First Test @ Capetown Day Two Saturday Jan 06,2018
Hardik Pandya starred with both bat and ball on the second day of the first test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Saturday Jan 06,2018
Hardik Pandya's 93 in 95 balls helped India score 209 in reply to South Africa's 286, who took a crucial 77-run first innings lead
After scoring a counter-attacking 93(95 Balls 4x14 and 6x1),Hardik Pandya go rid of the South African openers as South Africa reached 65/2 with Hasim Amla 04* and Night Watchman Kagiso Rabada 02* at the crease to take a lead of 142 runs.
South Africa's Aiden Markram (34) was the first wicket to fall in their second innings, having looked fluent at the crease until he top-edged a rising delivery from Hardik Pandya (2-17) to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at a deep point.
Dean Elgar (25) was scratchy throughout his stay at the crease and became Pandya's second victim when he edged to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha
South Africa Vs India First Test @ Capetown Day Three Sunday Jan 07,2018
The third day of the first Test between South Africa and India has been delayed due to rain in Cape Town, however, Newlands Stadium curator Evan Flint believes that fans will be able to get some cricketing action on Sunday.
Rains were predicted on Sunday and that's exactly what happened as the day started with a strong drizzle. Much to the anguish of the capacity crowd, just when it seemed we could have some play, the rain became heavier. Play was finally called off at 3.30 local time.
South Africa Vs India First Test @ Capetown Day Four Monday Jan 08,2018
India struck early with the ball in the first session of the fourth day's play against South Africa. Mohammed Shami got rid of Amla and Rabada in quick succession while Jasprit Bumrah took care of the South African captain Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock to reduce the hosts at 92 for 6. Vernon Philander followed soon after as Shami caught him right in front and Bhuvneshwar Kumar got rid of Keshav Maharaj and Morne Morkel. For South Africa, AB de Villiers (35) fought a lone battle and looked good before losing his wicket, trying to up the ante. He was the last man to be dismissed as South Africa were bowled out for 130 in the second innings, giving India a target of 208 runs to win the first Test match
Scorecard
South Africa 286 and 130
India 209 and 61/3
Wicket Takers(India)
Mohammed Shami 3/28(12 Overs)
Jasprit Bumrah 3/39(11.2 Overs)
Hardik Pandya 2/27(6 Overs)
Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/33(11 Overs)
India were 76/4 in 23 Overs(Target 208 Runs)
Shikhar Dhawan 16(20 Balls 4x2)
Murali Vijay 13(32 Balls 4x2)
Cheteshwar Pujara 04(13 Balls)
Virat Kohli 28 (40 Balls 4x4)
3-Match Test Series Results
First Test @ New Lands,Cape Town Jan 05 - 08,2018
Scorecard
South Africa 286 and 130
India 209 and 135(Target 208 Runs)
Match Result - South Africa won by 72 Runs
MOM - Vernon Philander (South Africa) for his 3/33(14.3 Overs) and 6/42(15.4 Overs)
Series Result - South Africa lead the 3-Match Test Series 1-0
South Africa Vs India First Test @ Cape Town Day Four Monday Jan 08,2018
Newlands was once again a reminder that Test-match conditions tilted in favour of the bowlers foster compelling cricket
In the end, the result highlighted the difference between the two sides and was borne from the fact that South Africa's bowlers allowed 48 boundaries in the entire Test and India's offered 41 in the first innings alone.
The contrasting expressions of the two coaches at the tea break on the 4th day of the first Test in Cape Town perfectly summed up the match beautifully
Even as South Africa coach Ottis Gibson cheered the boys back into the hut after Kagiso Rabada dismissed Wriddhiman Saha off the last ball before tea, India chief coach Ravi Shastri stood with his hands on his hips, as if wondering what could have been had his much-fancied batsmen shown a little more application with the Test match victory knocking on their doors.
Even though the hosts registered a 72-run win in the third session, the writing was very much on the wall when the boys headed back to the dressing rooms for the tea break. With India needing 126 to win with just 3 wickets in the bag, going into the break, it was all about delaying the inevitable for the last three wickets.
R Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (unbeaten on 13) though refused to give in without a fight as they put on 49 runs for the 8th wicket – the highest partnership in the Indian innings. But Ashwin’s dismissal (37), caught by Quinton de Kock off Vernon Philander’s bowling, ended any hope the Indians garnered of stretching the game further in the third session. Mohammed Shami (4) and Jasprit Bumrah (0) did not trouble the scorers much.
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