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29 March 2024

India vs South Africa 2nd Test, Day 4: Kallis century gives Proteas scent of victory

Published
By Cricket Correspondent

Jacques Kallis marked the end of his Test career with an emotive farewell century on Sunday to give South Africa a chance of victory over India going into the last day of their two-match series.

India were hanging on grimly on 68 for two wickets at the end of the fourth day of the second Test at Kingsmead, still 98 runs behind after Kallis's ton helped South Africa to a 166-run first-innings lead.

Playing his last Test, the 38-year-old all-rounder scored 115, his 45th Test century, and moved into third place on the all-time list of Test run scorers as South Africa were all out for 500 in their first innings shortly after tea, in reply to India's 334.

India will effectively need to bat for most of the last day on Monday to take the match beyond their hosts and avoid the potential of defeat after last week's first Test ended in a dramatic draw.

Kallis, who announced his decision to quit the Test arena in a surprise statement on Christmas Day, reached his ton in 273 balls to a lengthy standing ovation. It prompted a brief outpouring of emotion from the usually unflappable player.

"It is a special feeling," he told reporters. "It was strange walking out to bat knowing that there is no tomorrow and it will be your last opportunity to get a 100 for your country.

"It's a different kind of pressure, being in the 90s for the last time was different to normally being in the 90s. At least I could fall back on my experience and managed to get to three figures."

BATTLED CRAMP

Fifteen runs after he reached his century, as he battled with cramp, Kallis passed Rahul Dravid's career tally of 13,288 runs to move behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs) and Ricky Ponting (13,378) in the list of top Test batsmen.

He was out three balls later, top-edging spinner Ravindra Jadeja high into the air to be caught by India wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Playing in his 166th Test at the same venue where he made his debut 18 years ago, Kallis was ably supported in an extended morning session by an aggressive Dale Steyn, who had come in as the nightwatchman at the end of a rain-curtailed third day.

Steyn made 44 before lunch but it was after the break that a century partnership between Robin Peterson and Faf du Plessis pushed South Africa to a sizeable lead and handed them a chance for victory in a match interrupted by rain and bad light on all four days.

Peterson punished India's decision not to take the new ball until 66 overs after it was due with a brisk 61 off 88 balls. Du Plessis scored 43.

"We basically tried to pace the innings and to keep the scoreboard ticking. It was quite difficult to score because the wicket is quite slow, they put up defensive fields and bowled quite defensively," added Kallis.

India lost a wicket early after going into bat soon after tea when Murali Vijay was caught in the slips, but thereafter weathered a barrage of fast bowling.

As the light faded in Durban, and only the spinners were allowed to continue, Du Plessis took a brilliant leaping one-handed catch at short mid-wicket to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan.

EVENING SESSION

India were 68 for two in their second innings when bad light halted play on the fourth day of the second and final Test against South Africa at Durban on Sunday.

They still trail by 98 runs with eight wickets in hand after South Africa were all out for 500 in the first innings.

Pujara remained unbeaten on 32 facing 90 balls and hit four boundaries. Kohli was with him on 11.

Vijay fell in the sixth over of the innings to beauty from Philander edging to Smith at slip while Dhawan (19) battled two hours before falling to a brilliant catch by Faf du Plessis before the close.

India were treated to a fiery spell of hostile bowling from Steyn, Philander and Morkel before poor light forced South Africa to use spinners Peterson and Duminy.

The day belonged to Jacques Kallis who hit a memorable century in his farewell Test.

His solid knock of 115 which spanned nearly five hours contained 13 boundaries being associated in a 127-run stand for the fourth wicket with AB de Villiers (74), 58 for the fifth with Duminy (28) and 86 for the seventh with Faf du Plessis (44).

Nightwatchman smashed an enterprising 44 with seven hits to the ropes while Robin Peterson hit a belligerent 61 off 52 balls which was studded with nine boundaries and a six to lift South Africa's final tally.

Jadeja bowled a marathon spell to claim a career-best six for 138.

Duminy over pitches and Kohli hammers him straight down the ground for a boundary. Ind 68-2 in 35 overs.

The spinners are in operation as the light meter is out.

Faf du Plessis takes a sensational catch at short midwicket to dismiss Dhawan as South Africa get a breakthrough. Ind 53-2 in 27.5 overs.    

Shikhar Dhawan c du Plessis b Peterson 19 (120m 87b 2x4 0x6)

Pujara hits hits fifth boundary whipping Peterson to midwicket to bring up the 50 of the innings in the 26th over.

Pujara whips Duminy down the ground for a boundary. Ind 45-1 in 24 overs.

Pujara hits a much needed boundary off Morkel jabbing a shortish delivery to third man. Ind 35-1 in 21 overs.

Pujara also gets a boundary off Peterson with a late cut to the third man. Ind 28-1 in 18 overs.

Dhawan plays his first real aggressive shot driving Peterson on the off side for a boundary. Ind 22-1 in 16 overs.

Spin introduced as Peterson comes into the attack with India 14-1 in 13 overs.

Dhawan gets a boundary off the first ball from Morkel which is pushed to long off. Ind 14-1 in 11 overs.

Morkel comes in as first change replacing Steyn whose opening spell reads 5-4-1-0.

Steyn bowls another maiden to Pujara who is tested with a battery of short pitched stuff. Ind 9-1 in 9 overs.

Dhawan survives a scare as Philander beats him with a ripper through bat and pad to the keeper. Ind 9-1 in 8 overs.

Steyn bowls another fiery over this time to Pujara which is a maiden. Ind 9-1 in 7 overs.

Philander draws first blood with Vijay hanging his bat out edging straight to Smith at first slip. Ind 8-1 in 5.3 overs.

Murali Vijay c Smith b Philander 6 (23m 13b 1x4 0x6)

Vijay hits the first boundary of the innings edging Philander through the slip cordon to third man. Ind 6-0 in 2 overs.

SOUTH AFRICA FIRST INNINGS

South Africa are all out for 500, enjoying a lead of 166 in the first innings, during a rain interupted fourth day of the second Test against India at Durban on Sunday.

Left arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed a career-best 6 for 138 bowling a marathon 58.2 overs.

Zaheer Khan snared two for 97.

South Africa's innings revolved around a 45th Test century in his final match by Jacques Kallis (115).

Nightwatchman Steyn (44) shared in a 86-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kallis.

Robin Peterson stepped up the tempo of the innings with a belligerent 61 off 52 balls hammering seven boundaries during a 110-run stand for the eighth wicket with Faf du Plessis (43).

Jadeja claims his sixth wicket holding onto a return catch from last man Morkel as South Africa are all out for 500 in 155.2 overs.

Morne Morkel c and b Jadeja 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Faf du Plessis is run out by a direct hit from Rohit after being sent back by Philander. SA 500-9 in 155 overs.

Faf du Plessis run out 43 (70b 4x4 0x6)

The Indian fielders walk out as South Africa have not declared as play resumes after a rain delay of 50 minutes.

South Africa enjoy a lead of 163 with two wickets in hand.

The rain has come down again causing another stoppage with the covers also coming out.

Peterson's cameo comes to an end as he holes to vijay. SA 497-8 in 154.1 overs.

Robin Peterson c Vijay b Mohammed Shami 61 (52b 9x4 1x6)

Peterson hammers Rohit for a massive six with a switch hit.

The 100 partnership between Faf and Peterson comes in just 104 balls. SA 4877 in 153 overs.

Faf steps out and slaps Shami to the midwicket fence for another boundary.

Peterson hammers Zaheer over midoff for his ninth boundary to bring up his third Test half century in just 44 balls.

Peterson top edges a short delivery from Shami over the keeper's head for another boundary. SA 472-7 in 151 overs.

Faf lofts Ishant straight over his head for a boundary. SA 464-7 in 150 overs.

Faf du Plessis glances Shami to the fine leg fence. SA 458-7 in 149 overs.

Peterson is on song gliding Ishant to the fine leg boundary as South Africa's lead swells. SA 450-7 in 148 overs.

Peterson survives a confident appeal for leg before off Shami and then flays the next one through cover for a boundary. SA 444-7 in 147 overs.

India take the second new ball after 146 overs with South Africa 431-7.

Peterson cracks a couple of boundaries as Ishant goes for 12. SA 424-7 in 143 overs.

Faf du Plessis gets his first boundary dancing down the track and lofting Jadeja to long off. SA 412-7 in 142 overs.

South Africa are making their intentions clear going after the bowling with Peterson cracking consecutive boundaries as Zaheer goes for 12 in the first over after lunch. SA 407-7 in 141 overs.

Play resumes after a 15-minute delay after lunch.

Rain has delayed the start of the post-lunch session with the covers being brought on.

MORNING SESSION

South Africa enjoy a lead of 61 runs at lunch day four in the second Test against India at Durban on Sunday with Jacques Kallis completing a dream century in his farewell Test.

Resuming from an overnight total of 299-5, South Africa added 96 runs during the extended morning session to reach 395-7 in 140 overs.

Kallis (115) batted more than six hours to make Test century No. 45 and also overhaul India's Rahul Dravid as the third highest scorer overall in Test history.

The all-rounder faced 316 ad hit 13 fours during his marathon innings being associated in a 86-run stand for the sixth wicket with nightwatchman Dale Stey (44).

Steyn cracked seven boundaries in his enterprising knock before being Jadeja's fifth victim.

Faf du Plessis and Robin Peterson were together at lunch as India spurned taking the second new ball and Jadeja was rewarded with five for 128.

Peterson gets his first boundary swinging a full toss  to midwicket. SA 395-7 in 139 overs.

Nightwatchman Steyn's enterprising knock comes to end edging Zaheer behind with Dhoni taking a tumbling catch. SA 387-7 in 136.1 overs.

Dale Steyn c Dhoni b Khan 44 (94b 7x4 0x6)

It was a fairytale ending for one of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen.

His 86-run stand with Steyn ensured South Africa overhauled India total after having stood calmly on the burning deck when the hosts were tottering at 113-3 on the third morning.

One of the greatest innings of Test cricket comes to an end as Kallis signs off with a solid century before becoming a Jadeja's fifth victim. SA 384-6 in 133.3 overs.

Jacques Kallis c Dhoni b Jadeja 115 (316b 13x4 0x6)

Kallis cuts Zaheer to third man for a single to make his 13,289th run in Test cricket and overhaul India's Rahul Dravid as the third highest scorer overall. SA 384-5 in 133 overs.

Steyn slashes Jadeja and gets a boundary with the ball flying off a top edge over the slips to third man. SA 381-5 in 132 overs.

Steyn is on song steering Ishant to third man for another boundary. SA 368-5 in 125 overs.

Kallis cracks a couple of boundaries of Jadeja. SA 361-5 in 124 overs.

Steyn continues to merry way blasting another boundary off Shami. SA 348-5 in 120 overs.

It was an emotional moment and a fitting way to sign off on the very ground he made his Test debut 18 years ago.

Kallis flicks the fourth delivery from Jadeja for a single to complete his 45th Test century and seventh against India in his what is probably his last innings in Test cricket. SA 342-5 in 120 overs.

Shami bowls a maiden to Steyn to keep Kallis waiting on 99. SA 340-5 in 119 overs.

Kallis glides Jadeja who strays on the leg side to the fine leg boundary to move to 98. SA 338-5 in 11 overs.

Steyn steps out and smashes Zaheer to the mid-on fence while Kallis drives him through the covers to move to 91. SA 326-5 in 115 overs.

Steyn dances down the track and lofts Jadeja back over his head for a boundary. SA 308-5 in 108 overs.

Kallis hits the first boundary of the day by clipping Zaheer to fine leg. SA 304-5 in 107 overs.

Jadeja opens with a maiden after Rohit completes his unfinished over.

All eyes will be on Jacques Kallis as he nears a century playing in his final Test when play resumes early on day four of the second Test between South Africa and India at Durban on Sunday.

South Africa will resume on 299-5 in their first innings replying to India's total of 334.

Kallis is unbeaten on 78 having faced 224 balls and hit 10 boundaries during his rock solid innings. Nightwatchman Dale Steyn has yet to open his account.