CAPE TOWN – India s top-order batting was blown away by South Africa s fastbowlers as the tourists were reduced to 82 for seven at tea in pursuit of avictory target of 208 on the fourth day of the first Test at Newlands.
Vernon Philander took three wickets, while Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabadaclaimed two each as India were subjected to a pace barrage inbowler-friendly conditions.
Earlier, it had been the Indian bowlers who held sway when South Africawere bowled out for 130 in their second innings, losing their last eightwickets for 65 runs.
India s run chase started promisingly with Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawanputting on 30 for the first wicket, although Vijay was reprieved on reviewtwice after being given out against Philander, for leg before wicket and acatch behind the wicket.
But then Dhawan was caught at gully off his bat handle when he got into atangle against a lifting ball from Morkel. Six balls later it was thirdtime lucky for Philander as Sharma edged a catch to AB de Villiers at thirdslip.
Philander claimed the key wicket of Indian captain Virat Kohli, who hadlooked confident in scoring 28 before he was trapped leg before wicket.
Philander struck again when Rohit Sharma was bowled off an inside edge andRabada dismissed first innings top scorer Hardik Pandya for one, caught bya diving De Villiers at third slip.
Rabada trapped Wriddhiman Saha leg before with the last ball before tea toleave India in a desperate situation in a match hastening towards aconclusion despite the loss of the third day because of rain.
South Africa were without fast bowler Dale Steyn, ruled out of the rest ofthe series after suffering a heel injury while bowling on Saturday.
But Steyn, who arrived at the ground on crutches, limped to the wicket asthe last batsman in an effort to keep company with AB de Villiers, whotop-scored with 35. He managed to defend four balls from Bhuvneshwar Kumarbut De Villiers was caught off Jasprit Bumrah in the next over by one ofeight fielders stationed on the boundary.
Mohammed Shami and Bumrah were the main destroyers of the South Africanbatting, taking three wickets each.
Shami started the collapse, dismissing Hashim Amla with the ninth ball ofthe morning and taking three wickets for 28 runs.
Bumrah took three for 39 and, in addition to De Villiers, claimed the keywickets of South African captain Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, withDu Plessis falling to an unplayable delivery which lifted sharply off agood length and flicked a glove.
Wicketkeeper Saha set an Indian record by taking ten catches in the match,five in each innings.
After being under covers for two nights and a day, the pitch offered plentyof seam movement and occasional steep bounce. – AFP