India take lead after Tendulkar, Steyn battle

South Africa gain lead of 50 with eight wickets remaining.

CAPE TOWN: Sachin Tendulkar and Dale Steyn fought battled before India took a two-run first innings lead on the third day of the final Test against South Africa.

Tendulkar, Test cricket’s all-time leading run-scorer, made 146 in an Indian total of 364, while Steyn, the world’s number one fast-bowler, took five for 75. By the close, South Africa had reached 52 for two in their second innings to take a lead of 50 into the last two days.

South African captain Graeme Smith was trapped leg before by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for 29 shortly before the close and was quickly followed by nightwatchman Paul Harris.

With the series level, it may take something special from one of the two sides to force a result in this deciding Test.

It was not one of Tendulkar’s most fluent innings as Steyn beat his bat several times during two blistering spells against the master batsman.

But Tendulkar never lost his composure as he battled to his 51st Test century on a pitch which always offered some assistance to the bowlers.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2011.