South Africa halfway to reclaiming No. 1 Print E-mail
Category: Match Reports
Written by Luke Tagg   
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 14:43
A crushing innings defeat over India in the first Test in Nagpur has placed South Africa on the brink of reclaiming the No. 1 Test ranking. Should they achieve it few could argue they deserve it, based on that performance.

It was one of the most complete Test match wins I have seen in a long time and considering the circumstances surrounding it (away from home, on the tough subcontinent, against the top-ranked side in the world and with a brand new coaching staff), I have to rank it as one of South Africa's finest ever.

It was only the third innings defeat suffered by India at home in the last 25 years, and both previous times were also wins by South Africa.

And they said we were weak against spin? That one needs a rethink.

Hashim Amla bagged Man of the Match and rightly so, despite Dale Steyn's extraordinary 10/108. If you equate a five-wicket haul with a century, Hash won the battle by two wickets as Steyn only picked up three wickets in the second innings.

Some would argue that the pitch was easier to bat on than bowl on, making Steyn's contribution more valuable - whatever floats your boat. I'm good either way.

Both players turned in career-best performances and even centuries by Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were unable to get India close.

It wasn't just Steyn and Amla however - everyone played their part. Paul Harris was excellent on Day 4, picking up the vital scalps of Murali Vijay, Sachin and MS Dhoni.

His plan was clear as daylight and highly unusual, bowling almost exclusively into the rough two feet outside leg stump - as an attacking ploy. Normally that sort of line is reserved for defensive bowling, when you're trying to stem an onslaught - you rarely see it used as an attacking option.

He ended up the best spinner in the match, taking 4/115 at 28.75. He also had the second-lowest economy rate (2.09) in the match, behind Jacques Kallis. He bowled 55 overs to Kallis' 18, however.

Kallis himself scored a mere 173 - had he scored 17 more runs he too would have turned in a career-best performance. Wayne Parnell took 3/89 in the match, including the vital wicket of Sehwag in the first innings. AB de Villiers posted a half-century and Mark Boucher improved his batting average, so all in all most players chipped in with something valuable.

All South Africa have to do to take back the No. 1 ranking - and earn themselves a cool $175,000 - is not get beaten at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That could be easier said than done, as VVS Laxman should be back, bolstering the middle order.

On the last tour of India in 2008 South Africa also led 1-0 going into the final Test, but were handsomely beaten at the last hurdle.

If they want it this time they will have to display the ruthlessness that has sometimes been lacking in their game, but which was a feature of this first Test.

Brilliant stuff, lads. A truly great victory. Dead Gran is cooing sweetly in heaven. She's very proud, and so am I.
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