Batting collapse puts South Africa on top
South Africa reached 139 for two at stumps to increase their overall lead to 271 having earlier bundled out Pakistan for 248.
Hashim Amla, with 44, and Jacques Kallis, on 32, were unbeaten at stumps after Morkel (5-54) and Botha (3-61) helped South Africa gain a first-innings lead of 132.
South Africa got off to a confident start through openers Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen before both fell victim to questionable umpiring decisions by Sri Lanka umpire Asoka de Silva.
Smith, who made 100 in the first innings, also became the second highest scorer for South Africa in Test cricket, when on 20 he overhauled former opener Gary Kirten’s tally of 7289.
In the morning session South Africa staged a remarkable fightback as Pakistan lost their last eight wickets for 72 runs.
Morkel, who registered his third five-wicket haul in his 27th Test, built on Botha’s three wickets in the first session, removing Azhar Ali, Abdur Rehman, Wahab Riaz and Saeed Ajmal in quick succession.
Ali, who scored 56, fought a lone battle, hitting five boundaries during his defiant knock.
Ali urges batsmen to step up
Ali, who faced 172 deliveries, urged his fellow batsmen to build up partnerships and capitalise on their starts. Four batsmen got going in Pakistan’s innings before a usual batting collapse gave South Africa a handsome lead.
“It wasn’t easy to play all the shots, you had to block a few and wait for the loose delivery,” said Ali. “Its still a good track to bat on despite the help that spinners are getting. One just needs to put in time at the crease.”
Ali and former captain Younus Khan added 65 runs for the third wicket before Khan fell to Botha. After his dismissal, the batting faltered with Umar Akmal being the most reckless. Akmal spooned a catch to Dale Steyn as he charged down to Botha.
“I don’t want to comment on his shot but we should’ve tried to build partnerships at that point,” said Ali. “We have to stay positive because cricket is a funny game and we can stage a comeback.”
Morkel pleased
Morkel, who cleaned up the tail after Botha ran through the top order, said that he was lucky and the credit goes to all the bowlers. “I cant really take all the credit. All the bowlers did really well,” said Morkel. “Steyn could have easily picked up a few wickets but I was quite lucky. Pressure was created at both ends and that’s why things happened for me.” WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2010.
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