Proteas on verge of another defeat

Sports Monday 21/October/2019 20:13 PM
By: Times News Service
Proteas on verge of another defeat

Ranchi: South Africa are eight down following on, still 203 runs behind, after being skittled for 162 in their first innings on the third day of the final Test in Ranchi.
Beginning the day on 9/2 in response to India’s 497/9 declared, things quickly got worse for South Africa as captain Faf du Plessis was bowled by a peach from Umesh Yadav (3/40) in the opening over of the day.
Zubayr Hamza (62) and Temba Bavuma (32) though offered resistance, putting together a 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Hamza’s counter-attacking innings caused India to show signs of frustration. They lost a review challenging a leg before decision against him, but the very next ball Ravindra Jadeja (2/19) once again beat Hamza’s bat, this time the ball crashing into leg stump to leave no doubt.
Hamza’s dismissal sparked a collapse, with Bavuma stumped in the following over – beaten by the turn of debutant spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (2/22) – and Heinrich Klaasen (6) bowled a few overs later. Dane Piedt (4) played back to a ball from Mohammed Shami (2/22) which was too full, and then a run out, as Kagiso Rabada (0) was left well short by Yadav’s direct hit.
Anrich Nortje kept George Linde company for a 32-run partnership lasting just over 17 overs. Linde was eventually dismissed for 37, as an edged drive flew straight to Rohit Sharma at the second slip. Nortje (4) fell seven balls later leaving South Africa 162 all out, trailing by 335 runs.
Virat Kohli enforced the follow on, just as he had done in the previous Test, and was almost immediately rewarded.
Yadav struck with his first ball, bowling Quinton de Kock (5). Not to be outdone, Shami claimed three more in short order to leave the visitors 22/4.
On the stroke of tea Dean Elgar (16*) was struck on the helmet by a vicious bouncer from Yadav, and was replaced in match by Theunis de Bruyn after failing concussion tests.
Linde once again provided some backbone to the innings with a fighting 27 before a direct hit from Nadeem brought his downfall.
Concussion sub de Bruyn remained unbeaten at stumps on 30 but with only Nortje (5*) and Lungi Ngidi left to support him and two days left, the draw seems implausible.
They still need another 203 runs to make India bat again. There was some bad news for India however, with keeper Saha leaving the field after having injured his thumb.