South Africa were eight runs away from scoring the 458 they needed to beat India in the first Test at The Wanderers
South Africa drew a gripping first of the two-Test series against India at The Wanderers, having raised hopes of a Test-record run chase of 458. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis batted throughout the afternoon session to stave off defeat and with 127 needed in a minimum 30 overs after tea, an improbable win was still possible.
The pair each got their centuries and South Africa appeared favourites to win until Du Plessis was run out for 134. Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn left it too late to pursue the 16 runs still needed and their side finished eight shy on 450 for seven.
The South Africa captain, Graeme Smith, said: "I thought we played it beautifully up until the moment Faf was run out, then you've got to back the guys' decisions out in the middle. Chasing this down would have been incredible but when we started today, we wanted to set up our stall and make sure we went to Durban with an opportunity to win the series, and we've done that." Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.
South Africa drew a gripping first of the two-Test series against India at The Wanderers, having raised hopes of a Test-record run chase of 458. AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis batted throughout the afternoon session to stave off defeat and with 127 needed in a minimum 30 overs after tea, an improbable win was still possible.
The pair each got their centuries and South Africa appeared favourites to win until Du Plessis was run out for 134. Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn left it too late to pursue the 16 runs still needed and their side finished eight shy on 450 for seven.
The South Africa captain, Graeme Smith, said: "I thought we played it beautifully up until the moment Faf was run out, then you've got to back the guys' decisions out in the middle. Chasing this down would have been incredible but when we started today, we wanted to set up our stall and make sure we went to Durban with an opportunity to win the series, and we've done that." Reported by guardian.co.uk 1 day ago.