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India vs South Africa, Live Cricket Score, 1st Test at Centurion, Day 4, Latest Scorecard and Updates: STUMPS on Day 4. Jasprit Bumrah bowls the last over of the day. Maharaj collects a brace off the second, produces a lovely punch through the covers for a boundary off the third, but is dismissed by an inch-perfect yorker from Bumrah that brings the day’s play to an end. Advantage India at the close of play on the fourth day, and it will take an incredible effort from the Proteas to stave off defeat on the final day. Day 3 report: India lost and regained control of the first test Tuesday by bouncing back from a batting collapse of seven wickets for 55 runs to bowl South Africa out for 197 on the third day. That gave Virat Kohli’s team a 130-run first-innings lead. It had stretched that to 146 by reaching 16-1 in its second innings at stumps on a day when 18 wickets fell — all to fast bowlers — and no fans were allowed to be there to see it because of COVID-19. [caption id=“attachment_10238511” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]
India vs South Africa Live Cricket Score of 1st Test Match at Centurion, Day 4 latest updates[/caption] The entire second day of the test was lost to rain but the match had still progressed rapidly at Centurion after an extended third day to make up the time and overs lost to the weather. At the end of it, India was in position for a series lead that might give the top-ranked test team the impetus for a long-awaited first test series win in South Africa. Even though India plunged quickly from 272-3 to 327 all out in the morning session at SuperSport Park, it still had enough runs in the bank from its fabulous first-day batting effort to take command. But India needed its fast bowlers to make sure of that after its first innings was ended abruptly in the first 15.3 overs of the day, with South African quicks Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada combining for six of those seven wickets on Tuesday and nine of the 10 in the innings. Ngidi finished with 6-71 for his second-best test figures. His best were against India at Centurion in 2018. Mohammed Shami followed that lead for India, with the seamer stepping up to take 5-44 and reach 200 test wickets. With Shami leading and Shardul Thakur (2-51) supporting, South Africa was dismissed for less than 200 to give India the ascendancy again, and India didn’t even feel the temporary loss to injury of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (2-16). Bumrah landed awkwardly on his right ankle during a follow-through in only his sixth over and missed much of the second session having treatment in the dressing room. He returned and provided two of the South African wickets and a huge sigh of relief for the India team for the rest of the three-test series. There was no starring role for any batter Tuesday. India opener KL Rahul was 122 not out from the first day but added just one run to that score when he edged behind trying to hook to start the Indian collapse. For South Africa, Temba Bavuma ground his way to 52 but was one of Shami’s five victims when he edged through to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Shami began by muscling deliveries through the defenses of Keegan Petersen and Aiden Markram to bowl them and completed his five-for by getting Rabada caught behind for 25. The depth and quality of India’s fast-bowling attack — which hasn’t always been the case — may be the defining factor in finally cracking South Africa. Thakur underlined that by playing a crucial support role with his two wickets. He forced Quinton de Kock to play on for 34 to break a 72-run partnership with Bavuma and send back South Africa’s most dangerous player. Thakur also broke the next-best partnership by dismissing debutant Marco Jansen lbw for 19. With AP inputs
India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test at Centurion, Day 4, Full Cricket Score: Proteas 94/4 at stumps, need 211 to win on final day
India vs South Africa, Live Cricket Score, 1st Test at Centurion, Day 4, Latest Scorecard and Updates: STUMPS on Day 4. Jasprit Bumrah bowls the last over of the day. Maharaj collects a brace off the second, produces a lovely punch through the covers for a boundary off the third, but is dismissed by an inch-perfect yorker from Bumrah that brings the day’s play to an end. Advantage India at the close of play on the fourth day, and it will take an incredible effort from the Proteas to stave off defeat on the final day.
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Another day in which the visiting team finish on top. Though they got bundled out for 174 thanks to relentless spells from Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, India end the day smelling a 1-0 series lead. Credit to South Africa skipper Dean Elgar for his hard-fought half-century, and for keeping his team’s hopes of salvaging a draw alive. The Indian pacers though, were constantly probing and maintained the pressure levels from both ends, which resulted in the wickets of Petersen, van der Dussen and Maharaj in this session.
There is a forecast for a thunderstorm tomorrow, and we certainly hope doesn’t hold play up for too long. The last thing we want in what has been a superb Test so far is a washed out final day. See you all tomorrow!
Surely the ‘Golden Age of Indian Fast-Bowling’
After 40.5 overs,South Africa 94/4 ( Dean Elgar (C) 52 , )
STUMPS on Day 4. Jasprit Bumrah bowls the last over of the day. Maharaj collects a brace off the second, produces a lovely punch through the covers for a boundary off the third, but is dismissed by an inch-perfect yorker from Bumrah that brings the day’s play to an end. Advantage India at the close of play on the fourth day, and it will take an incredible effort from the Proteas to stave off defeat on the final day.
BOWLED! That’s STUMPS on Day 4, as Bumrah gets rid of Maharaj with an inch-perferct yorker as South Africa end the day on 94/4, with Dean Elgar unbeaten on 52. Maharaj had been batting well, but few batters in the world would have an answer to a delivery as good as that one.
Maharaj b Bumrah 8(19)
What a knock this has been! Faf would be proud
After 40 overs,South Africa 88/3 ( Dean Elgar (C) 52 , Keshav Maharaj 2)
Eight off the over, with Dean Elgar bringing up his 18th Test half-century with a boundary off Mohammed Siraj, taking 121 deliveries to get to the milestone. Collects a single next ball. Maharaj collects a brace off the fifth, before retaining the strike for the final over of the day, going for a run after being struck on the pad that is met with an unsuccessful LBW appeal. Eight from the over.
After 39 overs,South Africa 80/3 ( Dean Elgar (C) 47 , Keshav Maharaj 0)
Maharaj is on strike in this over, facing Bumrah who’s bowling with a good rhythm at the moment. The ball slips out of Bumrah’s hand in the fourth ball, with umpire Holdstock signalling a no-ball. The pace spearhead switches to round the wicket to Maharaj for the last two balls with a leg gully and an FSL in place. Just one from the over.
After 38 overs,South Africa 79/3 ( Dean Elgar (C) 47 , Keshav Maharaj 0)
Siraj is late in releasing the ball in the second delivery of the over, the result of which is a slower bouncer that Elgar easily punches in front of square for a boundary. Four from the over. A little over 10 minutes to go for stumps.
After 37 overs,South Africa 74/3 ( Dean Elgar (C) 43 , Keshav Maharaj 0)
Bumrah replaces Ashwin, India hoping to break the resilient third-wicket stand that will be frustrating them by now. And deliver the breakthrough he does, and how? Van der Dussen has no answer to a delivery that angles in sharply from outside off, a delivery that he thought was safe to leave and would’ve never imagined it would go on to hit the top of off. Keshav Maharaj has been sent in as the nightwatchman.
OUT! Bumrah gets the breakthrough with a jaffa! What a delivery from the Indian pace spearhead, angling in by a country mile and hitting the top of off as van der Dussen perishes while looking to leave this. SA 74/3
Van der Dussen b Bumrah 11(65)
After 36 overs,South Africa 74/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 43 , Rassie van der Dussen 11)
Siraj bowls a sharp bouncer to Elgar in the third delivery, the ball rearing up and going quite close past the outside edge. Appeal for LBW next ball, turned down by the umpire, likely pitching outside leg. Another 15 overs left in the day’s play. India might just bowl them out if Ashwin continues to operate from one end.
After 35 overs,South Africa 74/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 43 , Rassie van der Dussen 11)
Van der Dussen and Elgar collect a single each at the start of the over as the current partnership stretches to 40.
After 34 overs,South Africa 72/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 42 , Rassie van der Dussen 10)
Siraj collects his third maiden, as Elgar blocks his way through this over.
After 33 overs,South Africa 72/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 42 , Rassie van der Dussen 10)
Elgar tucks the ball through square leg off the second delivery, the first run off the bat in a while. RvdD runs the ball down the ground for a single next ball to move to double figures. Leg gully and a catching mid on in place for van der Dussen later in the over. Three from the over.
After 32 overs,South Africa 69/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 40 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Siraj replaces Thakur, who hasn’t quite found his rhythm in this game. Van der Dussen nicks the ball towards the slips, the second time it has happened in his innings so far, but lands short of the cordon as he had played this with soft hands. Back-to-back maidens for the Indians.
After 31 overs,South Africa 69/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 40 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Ashwin bowls with a second slip in place now. His second over goes for a maiden as Elgar blocks his way through the over.
After 30 overs,South Africa 69/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 40 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Elgar sets off for a single off the third delivery, which is also a no ball as Thakur once again is guilty of overstepping. He’s second on the no-ball count in this match, behind Rabada.
After 29 overs,South Africa 67/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 39 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Spin introduced for the first time today as Ravichandran Ashwin starts off with a lone slip in place, Rahane occupying that position. Elgar keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery, working the ball through midwicket.
After 28 overs,South Africa 66/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 38 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Thakur from round the wicket to Elgar. Fine stop by Ash at mid off after the Proteas skipper goes for a straight drive. RvdD edges the ball towards the slips off the fifth delivery, the ball landing short of Kohli. One from the over.
After 27 overs,South Africa 65/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 37 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Elgar’s batting confidently at the moment, dispatching a half-volley through midwicket off the third delivery. Single to the SA captain two balls later. Five from the over. Partnership worth 31 at the moment.
After 26 overs,South Africa 60/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 32 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Thakur continues after the drinks interval. The third ball of the over stays a touch low and takes Elgar by surprise, the SA captain bringing his bat down in the nick of time and saving himself from getting trapped plumb leg-before. Elgar sets off for a single in the fourth delivery. Dot off each of the last two balls.
After 25 overs,South Africa 59/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 31 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Shami bowls out maiden, his second of the innings so far, as the umpire calls for drinks at the end of this over. “Ash kidder se dalega tu?” inquires Kohli at the end of the over. Looks like we have spin on the other side of the break. The Proteas, meanwhile, have been solid so far in the evening session, with the current partnership worth 25.
After 24 overs,South Africa 59/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 31 , Rassie van der Dussen 9)
Elgar and van der Dussen collect a single each before the former drives the ball through extra cover off the penultimate delivery to collect his fourth boundary, moving into the 30s in the process.
After 23 overs,South Africa 53/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 26 , Rassie van der Dussen 8)
Change from both ends as Shami replaces Siraj from the Pavilion End. Elgar works the ball through square leg for a single off the third delivery, the only run added to the Proteas’ score in this over.
After 22 overs,South Africa 52/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 25 , Rassie van der Dussen 8)
Shardul Thakur introduced for the first time in this innings, replacing Bumrah. Oversteps in the second delivery, resulting in the 35th no ball of the ongoing match. One from the over.
After 21 overs,South Africa 51/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 25 , Rassie van der Dussen 8)
Tidy over from Siraj as he collects his first maiden in six overs. Both batters, meanwhile, are batting cautiously at the moment and are blocking/leaving most deliveries.
After 20 overs,South Africa 51/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 25 , Rassie van der Dussen 8)
FOUR! Tickled away towards the fine leg fence by van der Dussen off Bumrah off the first delivery, followed by five dots in a row. South Africa past the 50-mark now.
After 19 overs,South Africa 47/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 25 , Rassie van der Dussen 4)
Tidy over from Siraj, with three singles coming from it. Elgar, meanwhile, is batting on 25.
After 18 overs,South Africa 44/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 24 , Rassie van der Dussen 2)
Just one off Bumrah’s eighth over, with RvdD setting off for a single off the fifth ball. Boom ends the over with a steep bouncer to Elgar.
After 17 overs,South Africa 43/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 24 , Rassie van der Dussen 1)
Siraj from round the wicket to Elgar. The SA captain works the ball through midwicket for a brace at the start of the over, before gloving the ball over the keeper off a well-aimed short ball, which then runs away for a boundary towards long stop. Siraj bowls a couple of short ones before inviting a drive by bowling fuller outside off. Six from the over.
After 16 overs,South Africa 37/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 18 , Rassie van der Dussen 1)
Bumrah starts off with a sharp bouncer to Elgar, who has to duck and pull this last minute towards square leg. Tucks the ball through square leg for a single two balls later. Appeal for an LBW against RvdD turned down two balls later. One from the over.
After 15 overs,South Africa 36/2 ( Dean Elgar (C) 17 , Rassie van der Dussen 1)
Siraj breaks the partnership as Petersen ends up nicking the ball to Pant to depart for 17. Siraj nearly gets two-in-two as Rassie van der Dussen pulls a short ball towards fine leg, where the ball lands just short of the fielder, allowing the South African No 4 to get off the mark with a single. Elgar collects a single three balls later. Two runs and a wicket from the over.
OUT! Mohammed Siraj strikes after tea, and out come Ronaldo’s trademark celebrations! Petersen is tempted into driving a full delivery down the ground, the ball shaping away from the batter late and kissing the outside edge. Just when the partnership was starting to look dangerous for the visitors, it has been broken. Fine effort by Pant too, diving to his right and pulling off a fine catch. SA 34/2
Petersen c Pant b Siraj 17(36)
After 14 overs,South Africa 34/1 ( Dean Elgar (C) 16 , Keegan Petersen 17)
Change of ends for Boom as he replaces Shami from the Hennops River End, bowling to Elgar from round the wicket and collecting a maiden.
After 13 overs,South Africa 34/1 ( Dean Elgar (C) 16 , Keegan Petersen 17)
Siraj continues with three slip and a gully in place. Elgar clips the ball through square leg off the penultimate delivery, collecting an easy single on offer. Big appeal for LBW against Petersen in the last ball, with Siraj convincing Kohli to take this upstairs after umpire Holdstock turns it down. Wickets is ‘Umpire’s Call’, as the visitors retain their review.
After 12 overs,South Africa 33/1 ( Dean Elgar (C) 15 , Keegan Petersen 17)
FOUR! Petersen’s looked impressive so far in his stay at the crease. Gets a short, wide one from Shami and promptly punches it through point. Four from the over.
After 11 overs,South Africa 29/1 ( Dean Elgar (C) 15 , Keegan Petersen 13)
Mohammed Siraj introduced after the tea break, replacing Bumrah from the Pavilion End. Elgar sets off for a single off the second delivery after pushing the ball towards extra cover. Rahane, meanwhile is positioned at silly mid off with Petersen on strike, in addition to three slips. Petersen collects a single off the penultimate delivery. Two from the over.
After 10 overs,South Africa 27/1 ( Dean Elgar (C) 14 , Keegan Petersen 12)
FOUR! Elgar off to a confident start after tea, pushing the ball down the ground off the second delivery to collect his second boundary, before collecting a single off the last ball to keep the strike. Five from the over.