Kallis, De Villiers put South Africa on track (Lunch Report)

Durban, Dec 28 (IANS) Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja‘s two quick wickets gave India some hopes but they were dashed by a fine unbeaten 68-run stand between Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers as South Africa reduced the deficit to 153 runs at lunch on the third day of the second cricket Test at the Kingsmead here Saturday.

De Villiers was batting on 39 and Kallis, who will be retiring from Tests after the match, on 26 as the Proteas took lunch at 181 for three in the first innings in reply to India’s 334 all out.

India started the day with Ishant Sharma and Jadeja, who extracted a lot of bounce and turn from the track that seemed a perfect batting strip.

Resuming at 82 for no loss, overnight batsmen Graeme Smith (47) and Alviro Petersen (62) scored runs briskly. But Smith gifted away his wicket while trying a lofty shot off Jadeja. Smith mistimed the shot and Shikhar Dhawan took a great catch running backwards at mid-wicket.

Hashim Amla’s poor form with the bat continued as he was bowled by Mohammed Shami with in-swinging delivery for just three runs.

Kallis, who has played 166 Tests, walked into the stadium amidst a standing ovation from the crowd and also a guard of honour by the Indian team. Kallis will be ending his Test career at the same venue where he made his debut in whites against England in 1995.

But soon after his arrival, he could only see a wicket fall at the other end.

Jadeja struck to get rid of Petersen as South Africa lost two quick wickets with the score struck at 131. Jadeja got the ball to turn away after pitching on the middle-stump. But it was bounce that troubled Petersen as the ball kissed the shoulder of the bat before flying to slips where Murali Vijay took a good catch diving forward.