Durban, Dec 27:
Speedster Dale Steyn produced a fiery spell to rock the Indian batting line-up with a six-wicket haul as visitors squandered the overnight advantage to be bowled out for 334 on a rain-hit second day of the second cricket Test against South Africa here today.
Steyn finished with splendid figures of six for 100 as the Indians lost nine wickets for only 153 runs after play began in the post lunch session after a three-hour delay due to rain.
The 29-year-old Steyn brought South Africa back in the game after scalping three wickets in a space of 10 deliveries and then in a second spell wreaked havoc with another three wickets in 14 deliveries as Indians lost last five wickets for 14 runs.
At stumps, South Africa raced to 82 for no loss with skipper Graeme Smith batting on 35 in company of Alviro Peterson who has smashed his way to 46 off 61 balls with seven boundaries.
Having gone wicketless for 69.2 overs, Steyn shrugged off the disappointment with an inspired spell of fast bowling as he removed Cheteshwar Pujara (70), Murali Vijay (97) and Rohit Sharma (0) in a space of 10 deliveries to reduce India to 199 for four, when the proceedings started in the post-lunch session.
In the post tea-session, Steyn again hit back after Ajinkya Rahane (51 no) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had a 55-run partnership to take India to 320 for five before another collapse occured.
This time, Dhoni (24), Zaheer Khan (0) and Ishant Sharma (4) were dismissed by the South African speedster in a space of 14 deliveries.
In between Steyn’s scalps, left-arm spinner Robin Peterson dismissed Ravindra Jadeja (0) caught by Jacques Kallis at first slip, who completed the milestone of 200 catches in his last Test match.
When Steyn dismissed Zaheer Khan after AB de Villiers plucked off a stunner from thin air, he had completed his 22nd five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Having started the day at a comfortable 181 for one, the Indians looked all at sea against some inspired bowling by Steyn who swung the ball at a fast pace and also got the old ball to reverse.
From 181 for 1, India were reduced to 199 for four as Steyn pitched one outside the off-stump to get rid of Pujara caught by De Villiers after hitting nine fours in 132 balls.
Vijay, who was peppered with short stuff failed to complete his century when Steyn angled a rising delivery onto the ribs which was gloved for De Villiers to complete a brilliant leg-side catch. Rohit Sharma’s (0) wretched form continued as he shouldered arms to an incutter that rocked back his middle-stump.
Virat Kohli (46, 87 balls, 5×4) tried to control the damage with a 66-run stand for the fifth wicket with Rahane, who also looked in good touch.
Both weren’t unduly perturbed the by the South African attack as they took the score past 250. Kohli played some nice strokes including a pull-shot off Steyn and a wristy boundary through mid-wicket off Philander.
Just when it seemed that Kohli was destined to get another big score, Morne Morkel (3/50) fired another rising delivery which Kohli gloved for De Villiers to give him the third of his five catches in the innings.
Dhoni joined Rahane and the duo took the score to 271 for five at lunch.
With left-arm spinner Robin Peterson in operation from one end, runs kept coming as the duo completed their 50-run partnership in only 71 balls before another slide was initiated by Steyn.
Dhoni as usual went for a drive and Smith took the simple catch at first slip. Jadeja (0) didn’t trouble the scorers as he pushed at an off-break from Duminy to give Kallis his 200th catch.
In the next over, Steyn completed his five-for as he De Villiers pulled off a stunning catch timing his jump to perfection as Zaheer Khan had slashed hard. Two balls later, another full delivery saw the back of Ishant Sharma (4) as India were reduced to 330 for nine.
Rahane, who had played well to reach 49 was stranded at the other end but Mohammed Shami played the final delivery of Steyn’s over giving Rahane to reach his maiden Test half century of the next over. It came of 112 balls.
Finally, Morkel who had complemented Steyn well, rounded off the innings by dismissing Shami even as Rahane remained stranded on 51 at the other end. India were bowled out for 334 in 111.3 overs. (PTI)
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