Sachin Tendulkar
The fight between the No. 1 and No. 2 in Tests continued to live up to its billing as Day 3 of the third Test saw Test cricket at its best. Bleeding hands, bails that refused to fall, tailenders slamming sixes and yet another ton for Sachin Tendulkar; the day saw it all.
Steyn and Morkel started Day 3 with some of the best pace bowling you will ever see in modern times as most runs in the first hour coming only of the edges and with no singles on offer Sachin played the whole of Steyn’s first spell while Gambhir played the whole of Morkel’s first five overs. A fiery pace bowler at his best against a top batsman is always a treat to watch and the Steyn vs. Tendulkar contest didn’t disappoint. Tendulkar edged and nicked and was beaten many a time but most importantly he survived the storm. Once Tsotsobe and Harris were brought into the attack, runs began flowing as Gambhir and Tendulkar began to capitalize on the lack of pace and turn of the duo.
Gambhir was looking all set for a century until a ball from Harris gripped, kicked and spun and took his edge as Boucher snapped up a smart catch. Tendulkar however was beginning to cut loose and a few overs later stepped out and smashed one to the right of Harris. Harris stuck out his right hand and the ball deflected onto the stumps catching Laxman out of the crease at the non-strikers end and India went into lunch at 237/4.
Post lunch, Steyn was brought back for his second spell but this time Tendulkar was more confident in prodding forward and defending. However not everyone is Tendulkar and Steyn dismissed Pujara and Dhoni with a couple of unplayable deliveries. Tendulkar meanwhile got to his 51st century and Harbhajan, as he has been doing so often in the recent past, added an invaluable 40 runs which included a huge six of Steyn. Tendulkar after delighting the spectators with glorious strokeplay was finally dismissed for 146 and a few lusty blows from Zaheer at the end ensured that India finished at 364, a mere 2 runs ahead.
Smith and Peterson got South Africa off to a brisk start putting on 50 runs in no time but with the day coming to an end, Harbhajan struck twice in two overs to get rid of Smith and nightwatchman Harris to put India in a slightly superior position at the end of Day 3 – a day that saw a battle between bat and ball that will be talked for years to come.
Tags: 3rd Test, Cape Town, Cricket, Dale Steyn, India, Proteas, Sachin Tendulkar, South Africa, Sreesanth, Test Match, Test Series, Zaheer Khan
