India outdone by pace barrage

South Africa take charge of first Test cut short by rain, bad light.

The world’s top two Test sides were involved in an enthralling first day of their series with hosts South Africa reducing India to 136 for nine before bad light stopped play at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

With the start delayed due to rain and a wet outfield, the hosts won the toss and put India in trouble straight away as Virendar Sehwag was dismissed without scoring in the third over of the day. Dale Steyn and later Morne Morkel derailed the mighty Indian batting line-up and shared seven wickets between them to claim first-day honours.

Captain MS Dhoni was unbeaten on 33 when players were taken off and stumps were called by the umpires.

Dravid becomes 3rd highest Test scorer

Rahul Dravid overtook former West Indies captain Brain Lara as the third highest run-getter in Test cricket. Coming into the Test needing 11 runs to surpass Lara’s 11,953, Dravid reached the milestone with a double, clipping Dale Steyn off the back foot towards square-leg.

Dravid, who had an average of 53.31 before this Test, achieved the feat in his 148th match. Teammate Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart followed by Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2010.