South Africa v India 2013: 1st Test: 5 of the best plays from Day 1

At the end of a topsy-turvy day 1, it is probably honours even, with India maybe being the slightly more content of the two teams, purely because of the fight, grit and application shown by the batsman. South Africa would have expected a lot more from what was a day that was proper exhibition of the good that Test cricket still has to offer. Here’s a look at the top 5 plays of the day.

1. The Opening Spell

Dale Steyn

Although Vernon Philander was slightly off his best with his first spell, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were fiery. While Steyn gave Shikhar Dhawan a thorough working over before getting him to top-edge a hook, Morkel tormented Murali Vijay. Morkel, with his ability to generate uncomfortable bounce from a good length, coupled that with seam movement to soften Vijay up, and then delivered the sucker punch, with a full delivery on off stump that Vijay had a waft at, with no feet movement, giving an easy catch for AB de Villiers to snap up. That opening burst was probably the best South Africa bowled all day, and it was baffling that Steyn and Morkel hardly ever bowled in tandem throughout the day.