WEATHER permitting, the Centurion Test is heading for a fitting climax on Day 5. On a pitch that keeps deteriorating with the odd one shooting up from length and keeping low at times whenever the ball hits the cracks, South Africa, chasing 305, are still 211 runs away from a win, while India need six wickets to go 1-0 up in the Freedom Series after 13 wickets fell on Wednesday.
While the target is not beyond South Africa’s reach, it isn’t going to be easy against an Indian attack that is relentlessly asking questions. After the hosts used a heavy-roller before the start of their innings, the pitch appeared to flatten out a bit, with the uneven bounce that Indian batters encountered in the first and second session of Day 4, completely disappearing. Under the circumstances, it was India’s discipline and consistent probing with the ball that led to South Africa losing Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen and night-watchman Keshav Maharaj.
This story is from the December 30, 2021 edition of The Morning Standard.
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This story is from the December 30, 2021 edition of The Morning Standard.
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