da supremo： India dominated the first day of the third and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town, as Wasim Jaffer made a fluent 116.
da poker： The Bulletin by Siddhartha Vaidyanathan02-Jan-2007Stumps
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Wasim Jaffer lead India’s superb start on the first day at Newlands © Getty Images
Starts rarely come as emphatic as this, especially with India overseas and even more so in a series decider. Rahul Dravid presented his batsmen a New Year’s gift by calling tails at the toss, provided South Africa with a surprise opening pair and sat back to enjoy India’s best start in this country.Wasim Jaffer led the merriment on a bone-dry Newlands pitch, steering India to an imposing 254 for 3 at stumps in a largely one-sided contest. It was an indicator of Indian dominance that his partnership with Dinesh Karthik has been the only century opening stand by any country against South Africa in two years. Andre Nel’s absence, owing to a bruised ankle, hurt South Africa and they didn’t have much to cheer in a venue that is traditionally proved to be a fortress.It was a surface tailor-made for Jaffer, similar to the pancake-flat surfaces that he thrives on in domestic games back home. His third Test hundred, and first in the first innings, was a superbly-controlled affair, driving and pulling with authority. He gauged the nature of the pitch soon and reeled off regal strokes when presented with width.His back-foot expertise came to the fore, especially as the bowlers were unable to extract much lateral movement, and he rolled his wrists over the ball while attempting the pull. Confident defense was interspersed with smooth wristwork and, barring a couple of jaffas that beat the outside edge, he was totally in command. His only indiscretion came when he was on 116, hanging his bat limply and edging head-high to give Jacques Kallis, at second slip, his 100th victim.His partner was the surprise package. India decided to move Virender Sehwag down the order but instead of bringing in Gautam Gambhir, the specialist, went for Karthik, who last turned out for India in September 2005. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ill disposed with a chest infection and bruised fingers, and Karthik was asked to open for the first time in Tests.He enjoyed a large slice of fortune when on 32 – Graeme Smith fluffed a regulation edge at first slip – and occasionally resorted to the airy-fairy but he more than impressed with his compact technique. He got behind the line nicely and struck a gorgeous straight drive to welcome back Kallis to the bowling crease. He endured a nervy last over before tea, when Kallis targetted him with a bouncer barrage, but completed his second half-century in 14 innings. He was unlucky to be given out soon after tea, handing left-arm spinner Paul Harris with his maiden wicket, but he’d done a fine job by then.
Dinesh Karthik was the surprise package, going on to make a resolute half-century in his first time as a Test opener © Getty Images
Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, South Africa’s new-ball pair, couldn’t summon much life from the flat pitch and it was left to the accurate Shaun Pollock to provide some respite. He produced more movement than the rest and even managed to get the edge, only to be frustrated by Smith’s butterfingers at first slip. Pollock’s spell to Dravid, who was looking ominous in his brief stay, was a masterclass in prising out a wicket. He frustrated him with a nagging line, managed some reverse with the old ball before nailing him with a near-perfect delivery that pitched outside off and kissed the edge.Steyn came back to remove Jaffer with the new ball but Sachin Tendulkar, unfurling some gorgeous strokes towards the end, and VVS Laxman, cautiously shouldering arms, took India safely to stumps. Exactly three years ago, in a series decider at Sydney, Sourav Ganguly won the toss on a belter of a pitch and had the satisfaction of seeing his batsmen ending the opening day on 284 for 3. Is history about to repeat itself?Short cuts
Highlight of the day: After pull shot at Kingsmead, WasimJaffer had a lot to prove, most of all to himself. And on a pitch thatcould have been prepared in Mumbai or Nagpur, he did just that with afluent century, building on a circumspect start with some gorgeous driveson both sides of the wicket.Lowlight of the day: For two sessions, this was a triumphant return toTest cricket for Dinesh Karthik. But when the first ball after teaappeared to fly off the pad to silly point, his luck took a turn for theworse. Hashim Amla, who grabbed the ball, didn’t even bother to appeal,lobbing the ball back to Mark Boucher in an attempt to catch Karthik shortof the crease. But with Boucher backing up Paul Harris’s fervent appeal,Asad Rauf lifted the finger. Not the best of decisions, and certainly noway to end such a brave innings.Shot of the day: The first session had been all about patience andconsolidation, but soon after lunch, Karthik drove an over-pitcheddelivery from Makhaya Ntini past the mid-off fielder with a fluent swingof the bat. It was a glorious, breath-stopping stroke, from a man whoclearly believed that he belonged at this level.Ball of the day: When Rahul Dravid came in and set about Dale Steyn, thegame appeared to be running away from South Africa. It needed anotherrelentlessly accurate spell from Shaun Pollock to rein it back, and hecrowned it with the big wicket – Dravid nibbling at one that pitched justoutside off stump and held its line.Catch of the day: Late in the day, with the evening sun beating down,Jaffer poked at one from Steyn. It flew off the edge, and JacquesKallis stuck his hands in front of his face while moving to his right atsecond slip. Stunning reflexes from such a big man, and a fine way tobring up 100 catches in Tests.Message of the day: With the stump microphone audio available in anothersoundproof press box, all the chirping could be heard. Mark Boucher ledthe way with his exhortations, but it was Graeme Smith’s voice that wasmost distinctive. “He’s tired, boys, he’s done his bit for the team,” heshouted out, even as Paul Harris pitched into the rough outside off stump.Wasim Jaffer said not a word, but after one delivery had escaped for fourbyes, he paddle-swept another for four more. Cue momentary silence.Off the park: Even after bowling 18 wicket-less overs in the day, Ntini’sspirit was unbroken. Soon after close of play, he came down from thedressing room and signed dozens of autographs for the waiting fans – allwith that trademark goofy grin on his face. A touch of class, in a sportthat’s getting more and more distanced from its fans and roots.
